Gogarty praises Taylor as Irish boxing legend bows out at Croke Park

Deirdre Gogarty, Ireland’s first female world boxing champion, wrote to Katie Taylor ahead of Taylor’s last professional match against Flora Pili at Dublin’s Croke Park. Gogarty recalled entering a Drogheda gym decades ago, when women were told they would never be accepted or watched in the ring. She noted how the sport has transformed, with tens of thousands now filling an iconic venue to watch two women compete.

Gogarty praised Taylor for not only winning titles but also helping secure women’s boxing’s inclusion in the Olympics, where Taylor later won gold. The letter expresses pride in the journey from obscurity to national celebration and wishes Taylor a fitting farewell. Taylor, a two-weight undisputed champion, is set to retire after the bout, marking the end of a historic career.