10 hours ago
Bristol boxer Tiah-Mai Ayton, 18, signs professional contract
An 18-year-old boxer has signed a professional contract after amassing an undefeated 21-0 record in amateur Ayton, who trained with Weston Warriors boxing club in Somerset, is set to make her debut this summer with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing Super-Bantamweight from Bristol is a five-time national champion, and won gold in the 57kg weight category at the World Championships in Colorado, Hearn described her as the "next superstar of women's boxing".
Ms Ayton won the televised Haringey Box Cup in June last year at the 60kg Lightweight teenager has also excelled in several other combat sports, becoming a World Champion in kickboxing and Muay Thai at just 10-years-old.
'Time to shine'
"I've always wanted to turn pro with Eddie Hearn since I was a little girl," said Ms Ayton, who said her father encouraged her to take up boxing as a way to mitigate fights between her siblings."I think he's [Mr Hearn] got a message from me from like three or four years ago where I asked, 'one day can you sign me?' Today is the day I'm signed with him."I want those belts. I've had over 300 fights and I'm undefeated in amateur boxing. I think it's time to step into the pros now."Ms Ayton said she has always adopted a "professional style" in amateur competitions, but she believes she is "destined for greatness" in the big leagues."I think the young fighters coming through the ranks just keep getting better and better every year. It's our time to shine."
Mr Hearn described the teenager's unblemished record as "astounding"."She is hungry to get her professional boxing career underway as soon as possible," he said."Tiah could have waited for the Olympic Games but she believes she will become a multi-weight World Champion, so there was no point in delaying. "This is going to be an incredibly exciting journey, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her."
