Katie Taylor on her upcoming Croke Park fight - Henry McKean Reports

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The Hard Shoulder, with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman. On Newstalk, with Ciara.

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Now, as you heard a little bit earlier on, Katie Taylor will bring a fairy tale ending to her stellar career. Ireland's greatest ever athlete will fight at Croke Park on Saturday, September the 5th, fighting for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight Championship in an historic undisputed clash against France's undefeated Flora Pili. Henry McKean was at the launch of the Croke Park gig this afternoon and he sent us this interview with Katie Taylor.

Henry McKean (0:35)

Katie Taylor, how are you feeling? You are finishing your career in Croke Park. How does it feel?

Katie Taylor (0:40)

Oh, it's amazing.

This has been a long time going. I think I had a dream maybe four years ago of fighting at Croke Park and it wasn't a possibility back then. A few months ago, even, it wasn't a possibility. But here we are today. I got the phone call from Brian, my manager, a few days ago saying the contract was signed, it's a done deal. I couldn't believe it. End of my career at Croke Park. I'm also at a conch venue. I have a chance to come three time on the field as champion. This is a huge moment and I'm just so grateful.

Henry McKean (1:13)

For me, seeing you in the Excel Arena in London 2012, winning gold, seated beside your family just by pure coincidence, was really, really magical. For you, I know it's so hard to put it into words. What's your favorite highlight of your career?

Katie Taylor (1:29)

Yeah, it's probably hard to say. I mean, thinking back on some of my favorites over the last few weeks, actually, and the Olympics is obviously one of the all-time favorites. The first round of fights is also a big moment in my career. The first time to a female as a headline there. Madison Square Garden was an amazing moment for the sport. But looking back on all my career, it's been absolutely remarkable. But it's amazing to think that this night on September 5th can be my most iconic moment in my career.

And I never would have believed this is beyond my wildest dreams to have a chance to fight here.

Henry McKean (2:06)

And I know it's personal. I don't mean to mention a lady's age. You will have turned to big age. You'll be the big four-year-old and you'll be fighting someone a little bit younger than you. But you always had guts determination right back to the time when you were young. And bringing back to that time, you had to sometimes pretend to be a boy to be able to fight.

Katie Taylor (2:27)

Yeah, it's been an amazing journey, an amazing start and a crazy start, really having to pretend to be a boy. I'm so grateful that these young girls could have been out. Don't have to go through what I went through. That's probably the most satisfying part about this whole journey.

But you are right, I am going to be 40 in a few months.

Henry McKean (2:42)

I'm sorry.

Katie Taylor (2:43)

And so it's been a long career. It's been a very hard career. It's been a tough journey.

But I've achieved my dreams of becoming an Olympic champion. And these last few years as a professional boxer, I don't think I even had the capacity to dream these things. And so I really am living beyond my dreams at this stage. And this is just remarkable.

Henry McKean (3:06)

The hype is real. The hype is real around this fight. And you're sitting basically in front of a poster with a full Croke Park. And it will fill 82,000, perhaps more, pitch side as well, or I should say, ring side.

It really will be something special. What message do you have for, I suppose, the Irish that are going to come, and prices vary from 38 euro right up to ring side to 1500 Plus you can get a family ticket for 125, which will be two adults, two kids. What message do you have to your fans that have been following you over the last two decades?

Katie Taylor (3:43)

Well, I've been saying over the last few hours, I want to put on a performance worthy of everyone's support. And those people who dig deep into their pockets, spend their hard earned money to travel around the world, to watch me fight. I'm overwhelmed by that. I can't believe that people do that to support me. And seeing all the tri-colours around the whole world in the UK, Madison Square Garden, Dallas, it's been unbelievable. And I just want to thank them for their support, thank them for their respect. They've given women's boxing over the years.