Katie Taylor vs Flora Pili: Ireland’s boxing great crowns career in stylish Croke Park triumph

After a quiet opener, Taylor – Olympic champion at London 2012 and a professional since 2016 – burst into life in the second round, firing quick combinations before darting back out of range.

She repeatedly beat Pili to the punch, working in bursts and making the most of the two-minute rounds.

Pili, 29, arrived unbeaten in 12 contests and had previously held the European title. With little expectation on her shoulders, she had everything to gain.

But she had never faced anyone remotely close to Taylor’s level and the gulf in class soon began to show.

The party atmosphere continued between rounds as it became increasingly clear there would be no gatecrashing from the Frenchwoman.

Former world champion Prince Naseem Hamed and UFC star Paddy Pimblett watched from ringside as Pili swung wildly in the fifth, only for Taylor to make her miss and fire back.

Pili enjoyed her best spell in the seventh, a quick flurry briefly snapping Taylor’s head back, but it did little to alter the direction of the fight.

Croke Park rose for the final two minutes as Taylor continued to press forward, letting her hands go while the noise poured down from the stands.

She embraced her mother, trainer and manager in the ring as ‘Celebration’ rang around Croke Park before the inevitable result was read out.

“Let me just look around for a second”, she said afterwards, soaking up every ounce of the reception.