Irish boxer Katie Taylor announces retirement after homecoming fight in summer

Irish boxer Katie Taylor has announced she will retire after a homecoming fight in Dublin this summer.

The two-weight undisputed world champion is bringing an finish to a career spanning more than 20 years.

Taylor, 39, fought the first officially sanctioned female boxing match in Ireland in 2001 at age 15, and has won five world championship gold medals as well as an Olympic gold at the London Games in 2012.

She has not competed since July, when she completed a trio of wins over Amanda Serrano to retain her undisputed super lightweight title.

“That’s what we’re hoping and preparing for, to have one last fight,” she said on Wednesday, per RTE. “ It is going to be an amazing celebration.”

“I just wish 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.”

“Fighting my last fight in our most iconic arena, how special would that be? Either way, I’ll be ending my career here and I’m very, very excited about that.”

Taylor added that she did not recognize who her opponent could be or the exact date of her final fight but “either way, I’m in the gym for whenever and whoever it will be. I’m staying sharp and ready.”

Taylor previously played senior international soccer for the Republic of Ireland, earning 11 caps by 2009 before committing to boxing.

The Irish fighter has fought 26 pro bouts, losing only once.