Katie Taylor vs. Flora Pili LIVE round-by-round updates
Katie Taylor faces Floria Pili in Taylor’s final fight of her career
MMA Fighting has Katie Taylor vs. Flora Pili live round-by-round updates for one of the most anticipated boxing fights of the year at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday afternoon.
The main event is expected to begin around 5 p.m. on DAZN pay-per-videw. Check out our Taylor vs. Pili results page to find out what happened on the undercard.
Katie Taylor (25-1) has reeled off three straight wins since her lone career loss. She is looking to leave the sport with her third undisputed title in her legendary career.
Flora Pili (12-0) has yet to taste defeat in her career. Pili defeated Jelena Janicijevic via majority decision to win the IBO super lightweight title in her last outing this past December.
Check out the Taylor vs. Pili round-by-round live blog below.
Pretty sweet promo package featuring Barry Keoghan, and we're moments away from walkouts.
And by moments away, I mean we have a gorgeous performance of Grace and then anthems.
Out first, the undisputed challenger, Flora Pili.
And now, Katie Taylor. Absolute chills. Just incredible work to honor the boxing legend throughout the card, and now it's her moment.
David Irving is your referee for the main event.
Taylor immediately takes the center of the ring and she's stalking Pili. Taylor works her way in with the jab and lands a solid right hook. That ring is getting small for the challenger. Taylor steps in with another quick combo. Pili looking to counter, but she's having trouble landing clean. Taylor jabs the body and she comfortably takes the opening round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Taylor.
Taylor corners Pili seconds into the round. Definitely feels like Pili is a tad intimidated in there, though she works her way out. Now it's Taylor circling. She closes the distance and lands a four-punch combination. Not much to score from Pili so far. Quick right by Taylor. She lands and makes Pili miss. Right hook by Taylor. Cruising through two.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Taylor. Overall, 20-18 Taylor.
Pili has no answers for Taylor's jab. The champion lands another right hook. Not much action in this round, but Taylor continuing to snipe away. Pili flurries, but Taylor quick to tie her up and put a stop to that. Taylor wins an uneventful round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Taylor. Overall, 30-27 Taylor.
Pili looking more aggressive here, but a Taylor combo immediately gives her pause. Two big punches by Taylor, but Pili with good defense. Taylor keeps up the pressure and another combo connects. Just not a lot of output from Pili, though she's moving better than she did in the previous rounds. Getting more interesting.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Taylor. Overall, 40-36 Taylor.
Taylor makes Pili pay for walking her down, smacking her with punches. Pili with some sloppy counters. Taylor with a considerable speed advantage. Credit to Pili for coming forward, she's not fighting to lose, but she is having a ton of difficulty getting a bead on Taylor. Left hook from Taylor to close the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Taylor. Overall, 50-45 Taylor.
Nice jab from Pili to start the round, popping Taylor's head back. She throws again and Taylor has to tie up. Taylor finding her rhythm again, two punches down the middle. She lets loose with another combo and Pili has to retreat. Counter right scores for Taylor. Pili's punches coming out slowly. Taylor catches Pili with a left to cap off another strong round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Taylor. Overall, 60-54 Taylor.
Taylor rips the body. Referee warns Taylor about a headbutt. More fast hands from Taylor, Pili answering in the middle of a flurry, she's finally connecting. Taylor lands a left as she circles out of danger. Taylor with another quick shot.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Pili. Overall, 69-64 Taylor.
Pili again looks to corner Taylor. She's making it ugly, which could be her best path to find a much-needed finish. Taylor scores with a combination. Pili with a short right. Glancing right by Pili. Tayor lands a good jab. She just pushes her way out of the corner. Close round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Pili. Overall, 78-74 Taylor.
Taylor staying at the edge of Pili's jab. Quick flurry by Taylor, Pili avoided the worst of it. Slip by Taylor, quick glove check. Taylor sneaks in that quick right. They're keeping their distance in this round. Taylor goes body-head. They clinch up as we head to the final round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Taylor. Overall, 88-83 Taylor.
Crowd roaring as Taylor and Pili engage freely. They can sense the magnitude of this moment. Taylor with a right, but Pili having success with counters. Constant pressure from Taylor, she's leaving it all in there. Solid right by Taylor. Punches in bunches by the champion, one last thrill for the fans. Good scrap and Taylor should end her career with her hand raised.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Taylor. Overall, 98-92 Taylor.
Official result: Katie Taylor def. Flora Pili via unanimous decision (100-90 x2, 98-91)
"Croke Park, we did it," Taylor says. "We brought boxing back to Croke Park."
She thanks the fans for being with her throughout her career. LOUD "Katie" chant.
An emotional Taylor takes a moment to just bask in the adoration of the crowd, incredible scene.
She thanks her coaches for rekindling her love of the sport. She also shouts out her dad, and mom is in the ring! Amazing.
Taylor embraces her husband and is taking her time with this speech. Doesn't look like a single person has moved from their seat.
Eddie Hearn calls Taylor "the greatest Irish sportsperson of all time." He hands Taylor her gloves and she makes one final walk around the ring. The gloves are laid down in the middle of the ring along with her championship belts.
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