Katie Taylor Reflects on Retirement Plans Before Croke Park Fight: "I Basically Retired"

Katie Taylor recently revealed that she was on the verge of retiring from boxing following her third victory over Amanda Serrano last July. The accomplished Irish boxer, a two-time undisputed champion, had intended to conclude her impressive career unless her long-held dream of fighting at Croke Park came to fruition. "I spoke to [my team] after the last Serrano fight, and I said, 'Guys, that's me done if Croke Park doesn't happen,'" Taylor shared during an appearance on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show."

After her last fight against Serrano, Taylor expressed her gratitude for her boxing journey, stating, "This has been an amazing journey. Thank you so much, but I think I'm going to hang the gloves up." Despite her retirement thoughts, she held onto hope for the Croke Park opportunity, which ultimately became a reality.

With a professional record of 25 wins and just 1 loss, Taylor is widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest female boxers. The iconic Croke Park, Ireland’s national stadium, represents a dream venue for Taylor, as it does for many Irish fighters. "I was done [after the third Serrano fight]," she admitted, highlighting the significance of this particular location in her career aspirations.

Discussions regarding a fight at Croke Park began four years ago, shortly after her first bout with Serrano in 2022. However, logistical challenges, particularly the high costs associated with security, had previously thwarted plans for such an event. In 2023, following her fight against Chantelle Cameron, the Croke Park dream started to gain momentum, largely thanks to her promoter, Eddie Hearn, who pledged to secure the venue for Taylor's farewell fight.

Recently, Taylor's manager Brian Peters confirmed that all arrangements had been finalized for her to headline at Croke Park on September 5, marking a historic moment for the athlete and the sport. "I was over the moon. I just couldn't believe — even a few months back, I didn't think this was going to happen," she said, expressing her excitement.

As Taylor prepares for her final match against Flora Pili, she aims to retire as a three-time undisputed champion and make her farewell at a venue where boxing legends like Muhammad Ali have fought. "To end my career [at Croke Park], this could be the pinnacle. I think this could possibly be the most iconic moment of my whole career,” she stated, emphasizing the significance of this upcoming fight in fulfilling her dreams.