Katie Taylor: ‘I’m ending my career on top … I’m ending as the undisputed champion’

In she came to the press conference room, all stealth and quiet through the darkened backdrop, stopping occasionally to take the thanks of this security guard or that member of the Croke Park staff. It was well past midnight now and Katie Taylor’s last ever fight had ended around over two hours before. But nobody was in any hurry, not her and not us. We’ll be long enough without her.

We’ve seen her in these rooms before, drawn and tired, the sheen of a doctor’s work still obvious on her face, a pug’s bruise ripening on a cheekbone or over an eye. This wasn’t that. Taylor looked fresh and relaxed, as if all they’d have to do was flick the lights back on outside and she’d be well fit to glove up for another few rounds.