Boxing returns to Croke Park after 54-year gap as Taylor prepares for final fight
Paddy Maguire, a Belfast featherweight, was the last boxer to win at Croke Park, beating France's Guy Caudron on the undercard of Muhammad Ali's 1972 bout against Al 'Blue' Lewis. Katie Taylor is set to headline the venue on Saturday, marking the first boxing event there since that night. Maguire recalled the experience as a highlight of his career, noting the long absence of boxing from the stadium.
The 1972 event was a financial gamble that fell short, with attendance roughly 15,000 below the break-even figure, though some spectators found unconventional ways in. Ali reportedly fought while battling a cold, stopping Lewis in the eleventh round. The undercard featured several notable names, including future heavyweight champion John Conteh and Joe Bugner, who would later face Ali twice.
Eddie Keher's encounter with Ali at a hotel was arranged as part of the promotional push. The hurling legend found Ali initially subdued, but the boxer transformed into his familiar showman persona when playing up for the press, even playfully fencing with a hurley. Maguire, fighting last on the card, noted that most of the crowd had already departed by the time he competed.
This event could rekindle Irish interest in boxing at major stadium venues, potentially influencing how promoters schedule future fights in the country. Taylor's farewell bout may draw new audiences to women's combat sports, which could shift perceptions about female athletes headlining large-scale events. The nostalgia attached to Croke Park's boxing history may also deepen cultural connections between traditional Irish sports and boxing, though the long-term commercial viability of such events remains uncertain.