Katie Taylor has absolutely crushed this final week as a pro, handling every single media event with that same calm she’s rocked in the ring for over two decades. But Friday hit different. As Dublin blessed everyone with some early autumn sun, Taylor stepped on the scales at Trinity College for her undisputed light-welterweight battle. And yeah, she made weight, no surprise there. This champ has not missed weight once in her 26-fight career, and she definitely wasn’t going to buck that trend now.
80,000 Fans Are Ready To Explode For The Queen
The scene at Trinity College wasn’t just another weigh-in, it was a preview of the madness coming Saturday. All 80,000 tickets for the fight at Croke Park have been long gone, snapped up by fans eager to see history. And Friday proved demand was just as high for the ceremonial weigh-in, with supporters absolutely packing the grounds of Trinity College, a place founded way back in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. People were there to catch a glimpse of the “queen of Irish sport” herself. Women couldn’t even study at Trinity until 1975, but Taylor, who has busted down barriers in and out of the ring, was the undisputed star attraction. They weren’t there for Trinity’s old library or the Book of Kells, folks. They were there for *their* piece of history, the final fight week of Taylor’s legendary career.
An Emotional Send-Off, And An Opponent With Everything To Gain
Taylor, a 40-year-old, two-weight undisputed champion, probably isn’t a huge fan of all the fight week obligations, and cutting weight is definitely something she won’t miss. But Friday was a chance to soak it all in one last time. Her opponent, Flora Pili, a 29-year-old Frenchwoman with a perfect 12 wins, has been nothing but complimentary all week. She even showed an air of confidence on the scales. But Pili also looked a little bemused by the sheer scale of the event. This is Pili’s biggest night, her shot to jump into the fight game’s upper echelons if she can pull off a major upset. When Taylor appeared to a rapturous reception, with violinists playing an Irish folk song, you saw a different side of her. With her mother Bridgit nearby, Taylor, who rarely shows emotion during fight week, choked up at times as she delivered her final messages. She said, “I’m so excited. I’ve been saying all week how I grateful I am for this opportunity. I’ve been dreaming of this for the last few years.”
So get ready. Saturday night, in front of 80,000 screaming fans, the 40-year-old undisputed champ steps into the ring for her dream send-off. Flora Pili’s coming for a major upset, but Taylor’s ready for her final, emotional dance. This is it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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