On Saturday, Katie Taylor steps through the ropes at Croke Park to face Flora Pili in her farewell fight. Victory at the 82,000-capacity venue would mark a fairytale ending, allowing her to retire as the undisputed light-welterweight champion and seal a career that has transformed women's sport.

Numerous pivotal moments have shaped Taylor's journey. Here are five sliding doors moments that crafted the Irish icon:

• At just 10 years old, Taylor wrote a letter to her hero, Deirdre Gogarty, Ireland's first female professional world champion. Gogarty's encouraging response ignited Taylor's passion for boxing, despite the hurdles of women's boxing being unsanctioned in Ireland.

• Taylor's showcase performances in front of the International Olympic Committee helped secure the inclusion of women's boxing in the 2012 London Olympics, where she won lightweight gold. Her manager, Brian Peters, asserts, "Katie single-handedly got women's boxing into the Olympics."

• After a heartbreaking loss in the Rio 2016 quarter-finals, Taylor faced a critical decision: rebuild for another Olympic cycle or turn professional. The defeat catalyzed her reinvention.

• A pivotal moment occurred on 4 October 2016, when Taylor reached out to Eddie Hearn via Twitter. His prompt response led to her debut at Wembley Arena and established a loyal team that remains intact today.

• By April 2022, Taylor became the undisputed lightweight champion. Her split-decision victory against Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden marked a historic moment, headlining an event that showcased the potential of women's mega-fights.

These moments highlight the resilience and determination that have defined Taylor's remarkable career.