Boxing legend Katie Taylor has confirmed she will retire after her homecoming fight this summer.
Taylor, 39, retained her undisputed world super lightweight title in her trilogy fight with Amanda Serrano in New York last July and has now announced she will step into the ring for one final time.
The Irishwoman will return to the ring in the summer for a homecoming bout at Croke Park in Dublin. What was already set to be an emotional night has now just been taken to a whole new level as the legendary fighter revealed it will be her last.
Speaking to RTE, Taylor said: “We are still trying to figure the details out, but I do have one more fight this year.
“It is kind of like my retirement fight. It has been an amazing journey, the whole lot of it, over these last 20 years. That’s what we’re hoping and preparing for, to have one last fight. It is going to be an amazing celebration.
“I just want to fight in Dublin to end my career. Obviously we’re still hoping for Croke Park, we’re hanging on to a bit of hope that it can happen.
“If it doesn’t happen there are plenty of options there. I have obviously fought in the 3Arena a couple of times, the Aviva Stadium is also there. Croke Park would the top of the list.”
The formalities of her final contest are yet to be confirmed, with no date, venue or opponent fixed.
Given Croke Park is hosting the latter stages of the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Championships throughout July, August has been touted as a more likely date for the fight.
Taylor holds a 25-1 professional record, with her only defeat coming against Britain’s Chantelle Cameron in Dublin in 2023, but she avenged that loss last year to become a two-weight undisputed champion.
“I’m not sure who the opponent is or what the date will be,” Taylor added. “I just know I’ll fight this year during the summer time and all the other details will be laid out in the coming weeks and months.
“Either way I’m in the gym for whenever and whoever it will be. I’m staying sharp and ready.”