Katie Taylor says she is “still pinching” herself as she prepares to make the final ring walk of her career at Croke Park this Saturday.
The Bray boxer will face French fighter Flora Pili in front of 80,000 spectators at the home of the GAA, with Taylor set to bring her remarkable career to a close on one of the biggest stages in Irish sport.
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Taylor was emotional as she spoke about the occasion at a press conference on Tuesday.
"I'm still pinching myself that this is actually happening," Taylor said.
"I'm just a few days away from making my last ring walk at Croke Park."
"This is a dream, in front of 80,000 people. It's going to be an amazing night for Irish sport and Irish boxing."
The event is expected to be a major celebration of Taylor's career, with promoter Eddie Hearn promising a spectacular night for the thousands attending and those watching on RTÉ and DAZN.
Hearn said the event, and particularly Taylor's ring walk, will be the highlight of his career.
"This ring-walk, I truly believe it will be one of the greatest moments the sport has ever seen," Hearn said.
He described it as “one of the biggest events Irish sport has ever seen”, while also promising several major music acts and other surprises throughout the night.
The Script and Kingfishr have been rumoured to be among the performers, although Hearn would not confirm which artists will take to the stage.
Taylor, meanwhile, has been reflecting on the incredible support she has received throughout her career.
"I'm not sure if there's any other country in the world where 80,000 people would turn up for a female athlete," she said.
"I'm so grateful for the support; I'm blown away by it, to be honest. I want to put on a performance worthy of everyone's support over the years."
She also paid tribute to the Irish fans who have followed her around the world.
"This country has travelled around the world to watch me fight; London, Manchester, Leeds, Brooklyn, Boston, Dallas, New York and they'll be with me again on Saturday night."
"Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart," she added.
Taylor admits she is unsure how she will feel when the moment finally arrives.
"I'm not sure how I'm going to feel," she said.
"I'm praying that God will give me what it takes to actually control my emotions on the night."
Despite the emotion, she says her focus will remain on the fight itself.
"It's going to be such a special night but I'm going to be walking to the ring, focused on the fight."
Taylor says she will have plenty of time to look back on her career once the fight is over.
"They'll be enough time to reflect afterwards on this amazing career after my hand is raised. But I obviously wouldn't be human if I didn't think about it at all."
And as she imagines the thousands of people watching her final fight, Taylor hopes her career will inspire the next generation.
"I'm imagining all the thousands of stories from the little girls who are at a boxing event for the first time."
"In my mind's eye I'm imagining one of those girls falling in love with this beautiful sport and might even surpass my achievements."
"That's what legacy is all about."
Taylor and Pili will meet at Croke Park on Saturday, with around 80,000 fans expected to attend the historic event.
