DUBLIN -- Katie Taylor brought the curtain down on her legendary boxing career with a near flawless performance on an emotional night at Croke Park to beat Flora Pili and become undisputed junior welterweight champion.
Taylor (26-1, 6 KOs) boxed with speed and precision to overwhelm Pili (12-1, 2 KOs) with the judges scoring the contest 100-90, 100-90 and 98-91 all in favour of Taylor in front of 83,000 fans at Ireland's national stadium and surrounded by an electric atmosphere.
Taylor refused to let the occasion of her last fight get to her. She embraced the moment as she walked to the ring for one last time but remained composed from the first bell until the last.
The 40-year-old got behind her jab early and suffocated Pili who could offer little in response to her opponent's movement and work-rate. Taylor built up combinations and let her hands go more as the bout went on, throwing in bursts of four and five punches.
It culminated with a ferocious final 15 seconds when Taylor did not stop throwing punches to sign off in style.
Taylor thanked the supporters, her team and her family after being crowned champion before the ring emptied for one last goodbye.
"Croke Park, we did it, we brought boxing back to Croke Park," Taylor said. "Every one of you here have been with me before London 2012, through the heartbreak of Rio. You stayed with me when I turned pro. You've travelled around the world to watch me, now you are here with me in this amazing stadium.
"I don't know if any other country would sell 80,000 tickets for a female athlete. I'm convinced that Ireland's the only country."
Taylor then walked to each corner, taking in the applause of the fans and set her gloves down in the middle of the canvas. She finishes her career as a three-time undisputed across two weight classes.
She has just one defeat on her record, a 2023 points decision to Chantelle Cameron in Dublin which she avenged later that year.
Over 80,000 tickets for Saturday's event sold out in 20 minutes.
Taylor and her team went on a bus tour around Ireland promoting the fight in the days after it was announced and the public could not get enough.
Taylor's farewell has been the talk of the town all week in Dublin, with events throughout the build-up packed with fans.
Taylor's glittering 10-year professional career followed an equally groundbreaking and successful spell as an amateur. She contested Ireland's first ever sanctioned women's bout against Alanna Nihell in 2001.
Taylor's persistent lobbying and campaigning contributed to the addition of women's boxing to the Olympic Games.
She won gold for Ireland at London 2012 after carrying the flag for her country at the opening ceremony.
Taylor finished her amateur career with a 176-12-1 record which included five world championship titles and six European golds.
