Taylor to retire after Dublin fight this summer

Katie Taylor's farewell professional fight will take place in Dublin this summer, the 39-year-old has confirmed.

Taylor is currently taking time away from the sport and revealed in January that her career would come to an end in 2026.

But she has gone a step further by acknowledging that Dublin will be the location for her finale, with the continuing hope it will be in Croke Park.

That ambition has been discussed for several years, without coming to fruition.

Should negotiations fail to lead to a fight in GAA headquarters, Aviva Stadium and 3Arena remain the other possible venues.

Taylor told RTÉ Sport: "We're still trying to figure the details out but I do having one more fight this year. It's kind of like my retirement fight. It has been an amazing journey, the whole lot of it, over these last 20 years.

"I have had the highs and low. It has been an incredible, remarkable career and I always wanted to end it here in Ireland.

"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.

"Fighting my last fight in our most iconic arena, how special would that be? I think it would be absolutely remarkable if I was able to do that. I'm not sure if it is going to happen or not.

"Either way, I'll be ending my career here and I'm very, very excited about that."

A finalised date or opponent has yet to be confirmed, but late summer is looking likely.

With Croke Park set to be in action for the All-Ireland finals, it would point towards August when concerts and other sports take over at the stadium and the pitch is no longer in use for football and hurling.

Taylor added: "I think the fight will happen in July or August some time. I'm not sure who the opponent is or what the date will be. 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."

Taylor is, in theory, undisputed super-lightweight world champion.

The WBC has made her "Champion in Recess", with Sandy Ryan winning the vacant belt last Saturday by beating Karla Ramos Zamora.

Edith Soledad Matthysse also became interim WBA champion at the weekend, meaning she is also a possible opponent for Taylor.

The 45-year-old upset Samantha Worthington in Detroit.

Taylor may seek an opponent with a higher profile for her final fight, particularly if aiming to draw an attendance for a Croke Park occasion.

The Bray boxer was last in action back in July when she completed a trio of victories over Amanda Serrano as she retained her undisputed super lightweight titles.

The veteran is keen to acknowledge the support received from the nation in her send-off fight.

"Irish people have been so amazing to me throughout my whole career, they've gotten behind me during those Olympic Games and followed my career all the way through the professional ranks.

"It means so much to me. I'm just so grateful for that support and so grateful to be Irish."

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