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‘We’ll never get another woman like Katie Taylor’: Fans await Croke Park farewell

From Irish Times · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Ongoing story
  • Katie Taylor is set to end her career at Croke Park in front of 82,000 spectators, the largest attendance for a women’s sporting event in Ireland.
  • Taylor will defend the WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine super-lightweight titles while competing for the vacant WBC belt against undefeated French fighter Flora Pili.
  • Fans described Taylor as a sporting and feminist icon, while Irish boxing will feature prominently on the undercard and the national anthem will be performed by cousins Aoife Scott and Roisin O.

Dublin filled with fight fans ahead of Katie Taylor’s final bout, but the crowds have come to see one person above all: the Bray boxer who will walk into Croke Park before 82,000 people.

It’s absolutely mental. It’s very surreal. I was in the ring last night rehearsing. We had a rehearsal this morning to settle the nerves.

· Aoife ScottScott described preparing to sing Ireland’s national anthem before Taylor’s final fight.

At 40, Taylor will end her career on a stage few fighters, male or female, have ever reached. Doubts that she could fill Ireland’s largest stadium disappeared when tickets sold faster than promoters expected. Her fight against France’s Flora Pili will be for the WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine super-lightweight titles, as well as the vacant WBC belt.

Pili is 11 years younger and has won all 12 of her bouts. Taylor has lost only once as a professional, against Chantelle Cameron at Dublin’s 3Arena three years ago. The bookmakers offered short odds on Taylor and long odds on Pili causing an upset, as fans prepared for what will also be Irish boxing’s biggest showcase, with numerous Irish fighters on the undercard.

What she has done for women in general, not just women in sport, is amazing.

· Emma BowdenA fan explained why she views Taylor as more than a sports figure.

For many in the crowd, Taylor’s importance extends beyond boxing. Fans called her a female sporting icon and a feminist icon. Becca Clarke, who works on women’s advocacy in Ireland, described Taylor as a major inspiration. Emma Bowden said Taylor’s contribution to women generally, not only women in sport, was extraordinary.

Something to tell your grandchildren about.

· Laura SheridanSheridan described attending Taylor’s final fight.

Laura Sheridan, from Cavan, said attending Taylor’s final fight was “something to tell your grandchildren about.” She added, “She is the greatest Irish sports person, she should have been celebrated long before this event. We’ll never get a woman like Katie Taylor again.” Taylor’s farewell will also include a performance of the national anthem by cousins Aoife Scott and Roisin O. Scott called the late invitation to sing “absolutely mental” and “very surreal,” while Roisin O has taken time from wedding preparations before marrying next week.

She is the greatest Irish sports person, she should have been celebrated long before this event. We’ll never get a woman like Katie Taylor again.

· Laura SheridanSheridan praised Taylor’s wider significance to Irish sport and society.
About this summary

Originally published by Irish Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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