Taylor crowns career in stylish Croke Park triumph

Katie Taylor ended her illustrious career as a three-time undisputed world champion as Croke Park gave one of Ireland's greatest sporting figures the grandest of farewells on a night of celebration, spectacle and music.

The 40-year-old outclassed unbeaten Flora Pili on points in front of 80,000 jubilant fans to add the vacant WBC belt to her WBA, WBO and IBF light-welterweight titles.

With the footwork, speed and sharp pressure fighting that defined her career, Taylor produced one final stylish performance against the overmatched Frenchwoman to win by scores of 110-90, 110-90 and 98-91.

After almost a quarter of a century in the sport, Taylor - an Olympic champion, two-weight world champion and one of the pioneers of women's professional boxing - finally got her fairytale ending at her dream venue.

She bows out with a record of 26 wins and just one defeat, but this was about more than one final result.

It was a night steeped in Irish pride, with a spine-tingling atmosphere and chart-topping pop group Westlife helping provide a fitting send-off.

More to follow.