Junior Welterweight Showdown
Katie Taylor (26-1, 6 Kos) graced the inside of the squared circle for the last time last night in front of her admiring fans where she headlined the first boxing event at Dublin’s historical Croke Park since Muhammad Ali fought Al “Blue” Lewis on July 19, 1972.
Katie put her Unified Junior Welterweight IBF/WBA/WBO/Ring magazine Championship Titles on the line one last time against a formidable and younger Lioness Flora Pili (12-1, 2 Kos) to close out her career with a proper defense of her well-earned jewels.
Katie refused to take an easy fight on her way out. By doing so, she gifted the opportunity to a combatant who respected her dearly but wanted to become Champion by any means necessary.
With this great chance now given to her, Flora pressed the action as best she could from the first bell and attempted to bring the “HEAT” to Katie from every corner possible. Flora kept it interesting for the first few rounds but quickly found out that there are levels to this boxing sh*t and going rounds with one of the best in the game is a challenge in itself.
That being said, Katie did not disappoint her adoring fans. Katie, at 40 years old, still looked as sharp as ever, light on her feet with a fast and busy jab, troubling Flora who had no answer to deter the Champ from having her way with her inside that squared circle.
Nevertheless, Flora did hold her own but was simply outmatched by a seasoned veteran in the game. After 10 rounds of action, the Judges at hand scored it 100-90, 100-90 and 98-91, unanimously for Katie Taylor.
With this win on this historical night of boxing, Katie Taylor retained her Unified Junior Welterweight IBF/WBA/WBO/Ring Magazine Championship Titles and picked up the vacant WBC Junior Welterweight Title, once again re-crowning her as the Undisputed Junior Welterweight Champion of the World.
Gracefully bowing out as a Three-Time Undisputed Champion of the World in front of 83,000 adoring fans in the building at Dublin’s historical Croke Park, is the perfect moment to say goodbye.
Well done, Champ! You’ve had a great career – now enjoy your retirement.
Blaze