Who Will Katie Taylor Box In Her Final Fight?
Two-weight undisputed champion Katie Taylor has announced her intention to hang up the gloves in 2026, targeting a homecoming in Dublin this summer for her last professional fight.
While the specific opponent and location are still being finalized, the mission remains clear: a finale on Irish soil. Taylor has been vocal about her desire to headline at Croke Park. The 82,000-seat venue would serve as a massive achievement in her career. However, if logistical hurdles prevent a Croke Park date, both the Aviva Stadium and the 3Arena could be alternatives.
Taylor’s announcement comes after an impressive 2025. Taylor solidified her legacy by defeating Amanda Serrano in their third fight. Following that victory, Taylor stepped away for a brief personal break, leading the WBC to designate her as “Champion in Recess” at 140 pounds.
Taylor Reacts
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During Taylor’s time away, Sandy Ryan seized the vacant WBC Junior Welterweight Title with a majority decision win over Karla Ramos Zamora earlier this month. If Taylor decides to put her remaining IBF, WBO, and WBA belts on the line for her final walk, a showdown with Ryan would offer Taylor the chance to retire as the undisputed champion once again.
“We’re still trying to figure the details out but I do have one more fight this year. It’s kind of like my retirement fight. It has been an amazing journey, the whole lot of it, over these last 20 years. I have had highs and low. It has been an incredible, remarkable career and I always wanted to end it here in Ireland.
“I just want to fight in Dublin to end my career. Obviously we’re still hoping for Croke Park, we’re hanging on to a bit of hope that it can happen. If it doesn’t happen there are plenty of options there. Irish people have been so amazing to me throughout my whole career. It means so much to me. I’m just so grateful for that support and so grateful to be Irish,” Taylor said
Options
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A fight with Sandy Ryan is perhaps the most logical option on the table. Following Ryan’s recent victory over Karla Ramos Zamora to claim the vacant WBC Junior Welterweight Title, she now holds the piece of the puzzle Taylor needs to become a three-time undisputed champion. Ryan, who also fights under the Matchroom Boxing banner, would be an easy fight to make.
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A third fight with Chantelle Cameron remains the “unfinished business” part of Taylor’s career. Cameron is the only woman to have ever defeated Taylor in the professional ranks, and while Taylor evened the score in their November 2023 rematch, the competitive nature of their 20 rounds together suggests a decider is warranted. A trilogy at Croke Park would create an Irish vs. English rivalry. If Taylor wants to leave no doubt about her superiority in the 140-pound division, silencing Cameron in front of 80,000 fans is the best way to do it.
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If Taylor chooses to prioritize money over unifications, Alycia Baumgardner could be a candidate. The undisputed super-featherweight champion has been vocal for years about moving up in weight to challenge Taylor. A Taylor-Baumgardner fight offers a classic clash of styles—Taylor’s relentless volume and amateur pedigree versus Baumgardner’s explosive power and supreme athleticism. This matchup would draw significant international eyes, particularly from the US market.
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