Katie Taylor's Croke Park Farewell Takes Shape as Full Undercard Confirmed for September Showpiece
The full undercard for Katie Taylor's final professional fight at Croke Park on September 5 has been confirmed, with a heavyweight contest between Dublin's Thomas Carty and England's Dave Allen serving as the chief support bout — adding a compelling domestic narrative to what is already the most anticipated sporting event in Ireland this year, with over 80,000 tickets sold for the first boxing card at the iconic GAA stadium since 1972.
Background
Katie Taylor's career in professional boxing has been one of the most remarkable stories in the history of Irish sport. The Bray native, who won Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games as an amateur, turned professional in 2016 and has since become the undisputed lightweight world champion, unifying all four major world titles and defending them against the best fighters in the world. Her fights — particularly her victories over Amanda Serrano, Delfine Persoon, and Chantelle Cameron — have been among the most watched boxing events in Irish history.
The announcement that Taylor would fight for the final time at Croke Park — the spiritual home of the GAA and the largest stadium in Ireland — was greeted with enormous excitement. The venue, which has hosted some of the most memorable sporting occasions in Irish history, has never previously staged a professional boxing event, making the September 5 card a genuinely historic occasion. The last boxing event at Croke Park was an amateur card in 1972, more than half a century ago.
Taylor's opponent for her farewell fight is Flora Pili, a French-Tahitian boxer who has been a consistent presence in the lightweight division. While Pili is not regarded as the most formidable opponent Taylor has faced, the occasion itself — the setting, the crowd, the emotional weight of a final professional fight — will provide its own unique challenges for the champion.
Key Developments
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the full undercard at a press conference in Dublin on Tuesday, July 1. The chief support bout — the heavyweight contest between Thomas Carty and Dave Allen — was described by Hearn as a "make-or-break" fight between two experienced heavyweights who are both looking for a significant win to revitalise their careers. Carty, who is from Dublin and has been a professional since 2016, has been building steadily towards a major opportunity, and the chance to fight at Croke Park on the night of Taylor's farewell is the biggest of his career.
Dave Allen, the Doncaster heavyweight known for his entertaining fighting style and his willingness to take on all comers, is a popular figure in British boxing and will bring a significant following of his own to the event. The contrast between Carty's technical approach and Allen's more aggressive style promises an entertaining contest that will warm up the crowd for the main event.
The undercard also features Paddy Donovan, the Limerick welterweight who has been one of the most impressive young Irish fighters of recent years, taking on Tyrone McKenna in a contest that has significant implications for the domestic welterweight rankings. Several other Irish fighters are also included on the card, ensuring that the event has a strong domestic flavour throughout the evening.
Why It Matters
Katie Taylor's farewell fight at Croke Park is more than a sporting event; it is a cultural moment. Taylor has transcended boxing to become one of the most admired and celebrated figures in Irish public life, a role model whose impact extends far beyond the sport she has dominated. Her decision to end her career at Croke Park — in front of 80,000 of her own people — is a fitting conclusion to a career that has been defined by ambition, dedication, and an unwillingness to accept anything less than the highest standards.
The event is also significant for Irish boxing more broadly. The sport has a rich tradition in Ireland, from the amateur clubs that have produced generations of Olympic and world champions to the professional scene that has grown significantly in recent years. A sell-out crowd of 80,000 at Croke Park watching a boxing card will generate enormous media coverage and public interest, and could provide a significant boost to the sport's profile and participation numbers in the years ahead.
For Thomas Carty, the opportunity to fight at Croke Park on this occasion is one that he could not have imagined when he began his professional career. His own words — that fighting at Croke Park on the night Katie Taylor says goodbye is "the honour of a lifetime" — capture the significance of the moment for a young Irish fighter who has worked hard to earn his place on the biggest stage in Irish boxing history.
Local Impact
In Dublin, the September 5 event is already generating significant economic activity. Hotels across the city are reporting strong bookings for the weekend, with visitors travelling from across Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and further afield. The hospitality sector, which has been lobbying for major events to be brought to Dublin, has welcomed the event as a significant boost to the city's economy.
In Bray, County Wicklow — Taylor's home town — the event has generated enormous local pride. The town has been a consistent supporter of Taylor throughout her career, and the farewell fight at Croke Park is being treated as a community occasion, with local clubs and organisations planning viewing events and celebrations. The Bray Boxing Club, where Taylor first learned to box, has been inundated with enquiries from young people wanting to take up the sport in the wake of the announcement.
What's Next
The September 5 event at Croke Park is now less than ten weeks away, and the build-up is expected to intensify significantly in the coming weeks. Promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated that a final press conference with Taylor and Pili will take place in Dublin in August, providing an opportunity for the media and public to engage with the fighters ahead of the event. The IABA — the Irish Amateur Boxing Association — has also indicated that it will use the occasion to promote amateur boxing, with a series of events planned in the weeks surrounding the Croke Park card.
