David Irving prepares to referee Katie Taylor and Flora Pili at Croke Park
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 6:51 AM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026
Belfast referee David Irving is set to officiate the world title fight between Katie Taylor and Flora Pili this Saturday at Croke Park in Dublin. Taylor, who holds a professional record of 25-1, will defend her light-welterweight WBO, WBA, and IBF titles while competing for the vacant WBC championship. Her opponent, Pili, enters the bout with an unbeaten 12-0 professional record. The event is expected to draw a crowd of 80,000 spectators to the stadium. Irving, a veteran of more than 30 years in boxing officiating, described the assignment as a career-long ambition. He noted that he is finalizing his physical and administrative preparations to ensure the 10-round contest proceeds as an equal and competitive match.
- •Katie Taylor faces Flora Pili for the vacant WBC light-welterweight title on Saturday.
- •David Irving will serve as the referee for the bout at Croke Park.
- •The fight is scheduled for 10 rounds in front of 80,000 spectators.
- •Taylor currently defends WBO, WBA, and IBF titles against the undefeated Pili.
- 6:51 AMYahoo Sports — What will it be like to referee Taylor v Pili?
- 6:51 AMBBC Sport — What will it be like to referee Taylor v Pili?
"Belfast's David Irving tells BBC Sport NI that being the man in the middle for Saturday's world title fight against Flora Pili will represent the fulfilment of a dream.
"Belfast's David Irving tells BBC Sport NI that being the man in the middle for Saturday's world title fight against Flora Pili will represent the fulfilment of a dream.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 6:51 AMWhat will it be like to referee Taylor v Pili?
Belfast's David Irving tells BBC Sport NI that being the man in the middle for Saturday's world title fight against Flora Pili will represent the fulfilment of a dream.
- BBC SportSep 4, 2026, 6:51 AMWhat will it be like to referee Taylor v Pili?
Belfast's David Irving tells BBC Sport NI that being the man in the middle for Saturday's world title fight against Flora Pili will represent the fulfilment of a dream.
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