Tiah-Mai Ayton: Rising Star in Boxing
Tiah-Mai Ayton, a promising young boxer from Bristol, is preparing for an exciting matchup against Hungarian bantamweight Beata Dudek, taking place on October 17 at the illustrious York Hall in London. The 19-year-old athlete recently garnered attention after world champion Katie Taylor labeled her as a potential star for the future of boxing.
“It’s unbelievable to hear Katie say I could be the next great. Everyone looks up to her. Little me would be going wild about this!”
This validation has motivated her to strive toward fulfilling Taylor’s predictions about her success.
Early Career and Ambitions
Tiah-Mai made her professional debut last year and quickly demonstrated her prowess by securing a world title within just five bouts. Her passion for boxing has roots in her childhood, where her father encouraged athleticism and competition by turning family disputes into training sessions. Unlike her sister, who kept boxing as a casual pursuit, Tiah-Mai pursued it doggedly, accumulating five national titles in her youth and earning a spot on Team GB’s radar as a potential Olympian.
“I always knew I was meant to be a professional boxer; it was the only path for me. Without it, I would feel lost.”
As she looks up to Taylor, Tiah-Mai is determined to inspire a new generation of female boxers, emphasizing the growing prominence of women’s boxing and advocating for improved equality within the sport.
“I want to be a role model for young girls. Women’s boxing is expanding, but there’s still so much room for improvement to ensure we’re treated equally to men in this arena.”
Future Aspirations
Now under the Matchroom Boxing promotion, where she shares representation with Taylor, Tiah-Mai is keen on establishing herself as a headline fighter. Although set to fight on the undercard of Kieron Conway’s title defense against George Liddard, she aims to make a significant impact.
Tiah-Mai, who admittedly knows little about Dudek, remains confident, stating,
“No one has stopped her before, but if I manage to do that, it will be a major statement on my part.”
With aspirations of achieving her first knockout, she believes that pressure enhances her performance, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal moment in her expanding career.
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