‘I’m praying God will give me what it takes’ – Katie Taylor to Battle Emotions as well as Pili in Croke Park
Katie Taylor has spent the best part of three decades mastering the art of controlling her emotions inside a boxing ring.
But even the greatest female boxer of all time admits she has no idea what awaits her when she walks towards the Croke Park ring for the final time on Saturday night.
Taylor will enter the stadium in front of 80,000 people for an emotive farewell to a historic career, with tri-colours galore painting the stadium and tens of thousands singing along to her ring walk.
It is a Croke Park moment she has dreamed of throughout her career – but one she admits may be difficult to prepare for.
“I think it’s actually hard to prepare yourself for a moment like this,” Taylor says.
“I’ve obviously never experienced it, walking down in front of 80,000 people, hearing the Olé, Olé, Olés one last time, seeing the tricolours around the place.
“I’m not sure how I’m going to feel. But I’m praying that God will give me what it takes to actually control my emotions on the night.”
For a fighter who has always been renowned for her discipline and focus, the Irish Icon has been fighting back the tears at particular stages throughout the build-up to her Flora Pili bout.
As a result, she knows Saturday will present a challenge beyond that of her opponent.
“This is going to be such a special night, a remarkable night,” she says.
“But I’m just going to go into the ring, focus on the fight and there’ll be enough time to reflect afterwards.
“There’ll be enough time to reflect on this amazing career after my hand is raised.”
In typically humble fashion, the trailblazing two-weight undisputed champion, who sold out the famous venue in minutes, isn’t just thinking about what Saturday means for her.
For Taylor, the fight night is also for the next generation and young girls with a dream in particular.
“But I obviously wouldn’t be human if I didn’t think about it at all,” she says.
“I’m imagining all the thousands of stories from the little girls who are at a boxing event for the first time on Saturday evening.
“In my mind’s eye, I’m imagining that one of those girls might fall in love with this beautiful sport and might even surpass my achievements.”
That is what makes the occasion so significant for Taylor.
“Just because of one amazing September day in Croke Park, they caught a dream,” she says.
“I cannot wait to hear those stories.”
Yet despite the enormity of the occasion, Taylor insists she cannot allow herself to become distracted by the emotion.
“I have a job to do,” she says.
“It’s too dangerous a sport to have your body in the ring and your heart out of it, thinking of retirement. I have got a job to do. I’m very much focused on it,” she says before revealing she has allowed herself to day dream of how Saturday may look and how big it is.
“I have allowed myself to think a small bit over the last few months,” she says.
“And just thinking about the last 30 years in the ring, all the amazing people I’ve met, the amazing sparring partners I’ve met along the way.
“Having a chance to meet icons of the sport, having a chance to headline these amazing arenas and now I get to end my dream career in my dream venue in Croke Park.
“This really is beyond my wildest dreams.”
But the fairytale will have to wait.
“The most important part about Saturday night is that I get my hand raised,” she continues.
“It’s business as per usual for me and I have a real live opponent in front of me.
“It’s not going to be a walk in the park. She’s here to win as well. I’m very, very aware of that and I’ve locked myself away over these last few months in preparation for this fight.
“It’s going to be a tough fight for sure, but that’s where I’m at my best.”
