Tayla Jabbour: “Boxing gives me a sense of belonging. It’s not just a sport.”

Tayla Jabbour: “Boxing gives me a sense of belonging. It’s not just a sport.”

There was a time when the female ranks were sparse. That time wasn’t that long ago. A sport that has grown so much in such a short space of time. We once had apathy and indifference. We now have something different. The likes of Tayla Jabbour will help drive the sport forward.

Jabbour will turn 26 next month. The New South Wales native wants to achieve what she can herself, but also inspire others along the way.

“My upbringing was filled with love, fun, and support,” Jabbour says of her early years. “I grew up in a big family and moved around a lot because of my dad’s work. But through it all, we all got along and had a great time. My parents played a huge role in shaping who I am today, and watching them raise eleven children taught me the important lessons about perseverance. Even in difficult times, I’ve learned that there’s always a way with God’s help, and this mindset has had a big influence on my boxing and my approach to life.

“Growing up, I always was around sport. Either kicking the ball around with my siblings or in the school sports team. My mum even had me in dance classes, swimming and tennis.”

Like many, Jabbour started her boxing journey with no intention of ever fighting. “I actually started boxing in 2017 just to get fit and lose some weight, I never started boxing with the mindset that I wanted to fight. I started to compete a year later after losing up to 30 kgs, and my coach asking me to step in the ring for a charity fight, and I’ve been punching ever since then.”

Fighters differ in what they get out of boxing. For Jabbour, it is a combination of many things. “It’s the combination of the physical challenge, mental toughness, and personal growth. It’s a sport that requires discipline, strategy, and commitment. But it also teaches resilience and perseverance. I’m drawn to the intensity of the training and the feeling of accomplishment after pushing my body to the limit. The feeling of self-reliance and the ability to overcome my fear of how people perceive me. Boxing has definitely shaped me into who I am today. Boxing gives me a sense of belonging. It’s not just a sport. My teammates and my coaches have become my boxing family, and I feel like I belong in a group where I can be myself.”

Tayla Jabbour is now fifteen fights into her boxing career, but she still remembers her very first fight. “It was hard and definitely out of my comfort zone,” Jabbour says of that first fight. “But I remember going back to the corner after the first round and asking myself, “What the heck am I doing this for?” But I got the rounds done. It’s definitely an experience I will never forget.”

Jabbour has progressed since that initial introduction to her craft. She has won Illawarra and State titles. But Jabbour knows her achievements can inspire others as well. “I’ve been able to show many young females that anything you put your mind to you can achieve,” Jabbour relayed to FightPost.

“Having my Dad watch me become the boxer I am today,” Jabbour says is her proudest achievement to date. “Because growing up, he taught me and my siblings the basics of boxing as he was a professional boxer himself.”

In regards with what she wants to achieve in the short-term, Jabbour says, “I would say staying focused on my training, maintaining my mindset of faith and perseverance, and continuing to perform well in my fights. I also want to be working on helping others grow by sharing my experiences and approach to boxing with my teammates and younger boxers.”

But there are thoughts of joining the paid ranks. “I would love to turn professional. It’s my goal that I am working towards.

“But my long-term aspirations are to grow as a boxer and reaching higher levels of success and use my platform to inspire others. I want to use my faith, perseverance, and resilience, so I can aspire to be a role model and mentor to younger people, helping them develop both mentally and physically. I’d like to continue making progress in the ring while always trusting in God’s guidance.”

Boxing is an unforgiving sport. Often, one that takes away plenty. For Jabbour, it’s time away from those closest to her. “The hardest part of boxing for me is to be being away from my family and friends, especially missing out on important events due to training and fights. While I’m committed to my goal and keeping focused on the end result, these sacrifices can be difficult at times. However, I have got to keep a strong mindset of always thinking about the bigger picture and what I’m working towards. It helps me stay motivated.”

“Outside of boxing, I’m a full-time disability support worker,” Jabbour says of her life away from boxing. “It’s a role I’ve been in for the past six years, and I absolutely love it. Helping my clients achieve goals they never thought possible or simply putting a smile on their faces brings me immense joy and a sense of accomplishment. I’m often asked how I manage being both a boxer and a disability support worker, and I always reply, “I have the best of both worlds.”

Outside of her sport and day job, life is very different for Tayla Jabbour. The calm away from the storm. “I enjoy starting my day with a sunrise hike or unwinding with an afternoon dip in the beach. Being a foodie, I love exploring new cafes and restaurants with family and friends. I also cherish spending time with my 15-year-old Maltese cross Shih Tzu, Alphie. We grew up together, and he used to join me on my runs until he got too old to keep up.”

Tayla Jabbour is impressive in many ways. The desire to push herself as far as she can is only part of what she desires. The repeated wish to inspire others is perhaps what makes her stand out from the crowd. A little fact that will only help her side of the sport grow.