Former title challenger to potentially fight on Taylor-Pili undercard.
Katie Taylor has a case for being the greatest women’s boxer in history, and the Irish legend will be calling time on her career with a fight for the undisputed super-lightweight championship in September.
Her opponent on the night will be Flora Pili, a Frenchwoman who the vast majority of Taylor’s supporters will be entirely unfamiliar with.
However, so loved is Taylor that she managed to completely sell out Dublin’s Croke Park in no time, with the 82,000-seat arena having no tickets left within 30 minutes.
It is likely that this would have remained true no matter who Taylor was fighting, such is her sheer star power in her home country.
Regardless, every main event has an undercard, and there have been whispers surrounding who is set to appear on this one.
Reports are now stating that an all-Irish clash is likely going to feature in the supporting cast, with two recognisable names from the Emerald Isle facing each other in an interesting affair.
Paddy Donovan vs. Tyrone McKenna is the fight in question, and it is allegedly close to being finalised.
Donovan famously lost two contentious encounters with fellow Irishman Lewis Crocker last year, with their rematch being for the IBF welterweight title. But last month, he bounced back with a dominant performance over Karen Chukhadzhian, the two-time Jaron Ennis opponent.
McKenna, meanwhile, is a tough operator who has fought a number of recognisable names, himself having also lost a fight with Crocker.
Last time out, McKenna dispatched of Dylan Moran in what was a rematch of their wild first encounter.
Irish heavyweight fan-favourite Thomas Carty has also been rumoured for the Taylor-Pili undercard, but it is known that Dave Allen (who was offered to be in the opposite corner) has decided against taking that fight.
Regardless, Taylor vs. Pili will be quite the spectacle, an occasion that could almost feature the headline act as a one-fight show.
DONOVAN & MCKENNA CLOSE TO AGREEING DEAL FOR TAYLOR UNDERCARD ‼️
Now this is a fight…@PaddyDonovan23 and @Tyronemck are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for a fight on the Katie Taylor vs Flora Pili card at Croke Park on September 5th 🥊
Who do you think would win that… pic.twitter.com/JZppHAGizB
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) June 22, 2026
Want to get the latest boxing news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
