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Katie Taylor fans outside Croke Park before the big fight tonight. Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
what a buzz
Thousands of fans gather ahead of Katie Taylor's much-awaited fight in Croke Park
The crowd is made up of everyone from long-time Taylor fans to young children who have grown up watching the boxer.
THOUSANDS OF EXCITED fans are making their way into Croke Park this evening for Katie Taylor’s historic final fight.
The streets are lined with people of every age who have followed the boxing legend throughout her career.
Her homecoming will see the Olympic gold medallist take on France’s Flora Pilli later tonight.
Ahead of the match, thousands of people are in and around Croke Park soaking up the atmosphere.
Many in the crowd tonight would have watched Taylor’s triumphant gold medal in the London 2012 Olympics.
Now, those who have supported her through their screens for over a decade are filing into the stadium to watch the undercard fights before the main event later tonight.
Lily and June Mulcahy from Cork told The Journal that they had gone to see Taylor four years ago and “couldn’t miss” the final fight tonight.
They said that she is a “super role model for kids in Ireland”, as well as a “really humble girl”.
One of the most striking things about the crowd around Croke Park is the huge age range.
It’s made up of everyone from long time Taylor fans to young children who have grown up watching the boxer. There are also a huge number of women in and around the stadium.
Pubs are packed around the stadium, including in Drumcondra.
The long-awaited fight, organised by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and Aiken Promotions, is for the undisputed super-lightweight world title.
The pair are expected in the ring around 10.10pm, although this is subject to change depending on how the undercard fights play out.
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