Katie Taylor’s final boxing bout at Croke Park on 5 September has uncovered an unexpected family connection that has remained largely under the radar in combat sports. The world champion from Ireland is cousin to Molly McCann, the ex-UFC competitor who has made an notable transition to professional boxing since joining Matchroom Boxing in July 2025. McCann, a 36-year-old former Cage Warriors flyweight champion, will contest her fifth professional bout on the undercard of Taylor’s super-lightweight title defence against undefeated Floran Pili, with an expected attendance of 80,000 anticipated at the Dublin location. The revelation has sparked intrigue about why the family connection stayed largely private until now, with McCann herself outlining the reasoning behind keeping the relationship out of the public eye.
The Surprising Familial Connection
When McCann spoke to BBC Sport NI about the family ties, she was candid about why the bond had stayed largely hidden from public view. “It was the most closely guarded secret in combat sport because Katie doesn’t speak much and I didn’t wish to appear as if I was capitalising on her success,” she stated. In spite of this privacy, McCann has regularly attended at Taylor’s bouts, offering quiet support from the background. The choice to maintain personal affairs confidential reflects both women’s preference for allowing their achievements to stand alone rather than depending on family ties for publicity or advantage.
The revelation carries particular emotional weight given that Taylor’s Croke Park bout will be her final professional fight, marking the end of an extraordinary career that has reshaped women’s boxing globally. For McCann, fighting on the same bill as her cousin’s farewell represents a poignant occasion tinged with sadness at seeing Taylor retire from the sport. “She means everything, 80,000 people will be unbelievable,” McCann said, her voice reflecting the magnitude of the occasion. The occasion will serve as both a celebration of Taylor’s legacy and a poignant reminder that even sporting dynasties must eventually draw to a close.
- Katie Taylor is the cousin of Molly McCann in professional boxing
- McCann kept family connection private to avoid coat-tail riding perception
- Taylor’s farewell fight at Croke Park is deeply meaningful for family
- McCann appearing on the undercard of Taylor’s final professional fight
Croke Park’s Significant Event
The choice to host Katie Taylor’s final bout at Dublin’s Croke Park transforms what might otherwise be a routine boxing match into a historic moment for Irish sport. With an anticipated crowd of 80,000 expected to fill the iconic venue on 5 September, the atmosphere promises to be vibrant and emotionally intense. For Molly McCann, competing on such a significant undercard represents an chance to display her own progress as a fighter whilst also honouring her cousin’s extraordinary contributions to women’s sport. The magnitude of the event demonstrates Taylor’s significant influence on boxing globally, raising what could have been a routine championship defence into a true cultural phenomenon.
McCann has expressed her eagerness to perform in front of such a large audience, with her competitive instincts flourishing in high-pressure environments. “I do perform when it matters. The more people are there, the more I like to fight for the fans,” she said with conviction. Her experience travelling the world with the UFC has prepared her for perform in front of sizeable crowds, though a packed Croke Park venue will certainly constitute the largest platform of her boxing career to date. The proximity to Taylor’s final bout adds another layer of significance, making McCann’s bout against Sylwia Doligala into far more than a standard fight—it becomes part of a historic sporting farewell.
- Croke Park seating of 80,000 renders Taylor’s farewell a major occasion of cultural importance
- McCann excels competing before substantial audiences, citing UFC experience worldwide
- Historic Dublin location elevates supporting fights to unparalleled importance
McCann’s Goals in Professional Boxing
Despite her accomplished career in mixed martial arts, Molly McCann views her shift towards professional boxing as a journey still in its relative infancy. At 36 years old, she is acutely aware that time is finite, yet she continues to be hopeful about her trajectory within the sport. McCann has targeted securing titles of her own, viewing her fight with Doligala as a crucial stepping stone towards championship glory. Her team, including promoter Eddie Hearn, has mapped out a clear developmental pathway, with each consecutive match representing tangible advancement. McCann’s drive to establish herself as a genuine boxing prospect, rather than merely capitalising on her MMA credentials, underscores her serious commitment to the sport.
The fighter has been notably open about her career goals, describing her upcoming Croke Park appearance as “the last little send-off before I do great things.” This self-assurance arises not from arrogance but from tangible improvements witnessed across her four previous professional bouts. McCann acknowledges that defeating a seasoned fighter with a winning record will significantly enhance her standing and bring her substantially closer to title opportunities. Her readiness to test herself against progressively tougher competition demonstrates a mature approach to her boxing career, one centred on long-term progression rather than quick victories against weaker opponents.
Understanding the Refined Craft of Pugilism
Transitioning from MMA to boxing at the professional level has required McCann to fundamentally recalibrate her combat strategy. The skill requirements of boxing vary considerably from mixed martial arts, particularly regarding punch placement and energy management. In MMA, fighters can expend maximum effort on every strike without consequence, but boxing demands a more calculated and measured style to avoid premature fatigue. McCann has openly recognised these distinctions, noting that “every shot in MMA has to be 100% but you can’t do that in boxing or you’ll gas out.” Her willingness to embrace this adjustment period demonstrates genuine self-awareness about the sport’s complexities.
McCann’s evolution across her four professional bouts has been considerable, with her team highlighting clear improvements in technical ability, ring awareness, and tactical awareness. Boxing, she explains, works “like a game of chess,” requiring patience and calculated decision-making rather than the relentless pace that marked her MMA career. Each fight has built upon the previous one, continually enhancing her knowledge of professional boxing’s nuances. McCann’s awareness that her upcoming bout represents “the last learning curve” suggests she believes she is approaching a point where her development will transition from foundational to competitive championship-level fighting.