Katie Taylor’s final boxing bout at Croke Park on 5 September has uncovered an surprising family connection that has stayed largely under the radar in fighting. The world champion from Ireland is cousin to Molly McCann, the ex-UFC competitor who has made an impressive transition to professional boxing since joining Matchroom Boxing in July 2025. McCann, a 36-year-old ex-Cage Warriors flyweight champion, will contest her fifth professional fight on the supporting card of Taylor’s super-lightweight title defence against undefeated Floran Pili, with an anticipated crowd of 80,000 expected at the Dublin venue. The disclosure has generated intrigue about why the family connection remained largely private until now, with McCann herself outlining the reasoning behind keeping the relationship out of the public eye.
The Surprising Family Link
When McCann spoke to BBC Sport NI regarding their family connection, she was candid about why the bond had stayed largely hidden from public view. “It was the best kept secret in fighting sports because Katie remains quite reserved and I didn’t wish to appear as if I was riding off her coat-tails,” she stated. In spite of this privacy, McCann has been a consistent presence at Taylor’s fights, 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 relying on familial connections for publicity or advantage.
The revelation carries significant emotional weight given that Taylor’s Croke Park bout will be her last bout as a professional, marking the conclusion 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 bittersweet moment tinged with sadness at seeing Taylor retire from the sport. “She means everything, 80,000 people will be unbelievable,” McCann said, her voice capturing the significance 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 Molly McCann’s cousin in professional sport boxing
- McCann maintained privacy around the family connection to prevent perceptions of coat-tail riding
- Taylor’s farewell fight at Croke Park is emotionally significant for the family
- McCann fighting on undercard of Taylor’s final professional bout
Croke Park’s Historic Moment
The decision to host Katie Taylor’s final bout at Dublin’s Croke Park transforms what might otherwise be a routine boxing match into a landmark occasion for Irish sport. With an expected attendance of 80,000 expected to fill the iconic venue on 5 September, the atmosphere is set to be electric and emotionally charged. For Molly McCann, competing on such a significant undercard constitutes an opportunity to showcase her own development as a boxer whilst also honouring her cousin’s remarkable achievements to women’s sport. The magnitude of the event demonstrates Taylor’s significant influence on boxing globally, elevating what could have been a routine championship defence into a true cultural phenomenon.
McCann has demonstrated her keen desire to compete before 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 want to compete for the fans,” she stated confidently. Her time spent travelling globally with the UFC has readied her to perform in front of sizeable crowds, though a packed Croke Park venue will certainly constitute the biggest stage of her professional boxing journey to date. The closeness to Taylor’s final fight adds another layer of significance, transforming McCann’s fight against Sylwia Doligala into considerably more than a standard fight—it becomes part of a momentous sporting occasion.
- Croke Park seating of 80,000 renders Taylor’s farewell a significant cultural event
- McCann thrives performing in front of substantial audiences, referencing UFC experience worldwide
- Historic Dublin venue 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 keenly conscious that time is not unlimited, yet she continues to be hopeful about her trajectory within the sport. McCann has aimed to achieve securing titles of her own, viewing her match against Doligala as a vital progression point towards championship glory. Her team, including promoter Eddie Hearn, has established a defined progression route, with each subsequent bout representing measurable progress. McCann’s drive to establish herself as a credible boxing competitor, rather than just building upon her MMA credentials, highlights her genuine dedication to the sport.
The fighter has been remarkably candid about her long-term objectives, describing her upcoming Croke Park appearance as “the last little send-off before I do great things.” This confidence stems not from arrogance but from concrete progress witnessed across her four prior professional fights. McCann recognises that defeating a more experienced opponent with a strong track record will substantially improve her standing and bring her substantially closer to championship prospects. Her willingness to challenge herself against increasingly demanding competition demonstrates a sophisticated strategy to her professional boxing, one centred on long-term progression rather than quick victories against lesser opposition.
Mastering the Noble Art 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 stamina control. 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 readiness to accept this adjustment period demonstrates genuine self-awareness about the sport’s complexities.
McCann’s progression across her four professional bouts has been substantial, with her team recognising clear improvements in technique, ring awareness, and tactical awareness. Boxing, she explains, operates “like a game of chess,” demanding patience and calculated decision-making rather than the relentless pace that characterised her MMA career. Each fight has built upon the previous one, progressively refining her knowledge of professional boxing’s nuances. McCann’s recognition that her upcoming bout represents “the last learning curve” suggests she believes she is reaching a point where her development will move from foundational to high-level championship competition.