Is Tiah-Mai Ayton The Next Superstar Of Women’s Boxing?
It might be too early for some of the incredibly high plaudits that have come her way since Tiah-Mai Ayton made her impressive, eye-catching professional debut last weekend in Birmingham. But the manner of her victory over the Hungarian Sara Orszagi, at the very least, offers much hope that women’s boxing has found a much-needed new star.
Of course, we need to hold back on some of that praise and tone down the lofty expectations. But the pre-fight hype had already garnered the 18-year-old plenty of attention. “Tiah-Mai Ayton is destined to become the next superstar of women’s boxing,” Eddie Hearn said when the announcement came that Matchroom had acquired her signature on a professional contract. From what we saw in Birmingham, Hearn might be right.
Unbeaten in twenty-one amateur fights, a five-time national champion and a world U19 champion, Ayton looked to be no ordinary signing.
“Fans will like watching me because I’ll knock people out, and I’ll keep it entertaining for you lot,” Ayton said a few weeks ago. “I think I can become an undisputed world champion.” We saw a little glimpse of what might lie ahead last weekend. You could argue that her Hungarian opponent was somewhat limited. But the way Ayton dispatched her in three of the most one-sided rounds you could wish to see was nevertheless beyond impressive. Ayton delivered on all that pre-fight hype. In simple terms, it was the perfect start to her life as a professional prizefighter. In truth, it couldn’t have gone any better for her.
Ayton could be something very special indeed. Her side of the sport has languished on the sidelines over the last eighteen months or so. Attention and investment have gone elsewhere. Women’s boxing could do with Tiah-Mai Ayton being everything we hope she can be. Ayton looks like a blue-chip prospect who could reach the very pinnacle of her sport. But she needs time to develop. Ayton has time. We should give her that time. There is no rush with her. But her talent and potential might just prove extremely difficult to hold her back.
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
FightPost: Boxing & MMA News 
just another ‘friendly’ reminder that I contacted you here several times, asking that you make note of TIAH MAE AYTON. It was strange, even inconceivable to me, that you had NEVER taken notice of her, written about her, despite her incredible amateur record, while taking note and notice of so many other, lesser fighters. but even after I implored you to take note of Ayton, you continued to ignore her. it wasn’t until she was signed by Matchroom that you finally took note. NOW, you’re writing about her over and over. well, we both know what we know, don’t we?
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It’s not a case of ignoring anyone. I’m more than aware of fighters coming through the ranks, hence why I almost certainly interview more female fighters than anyone else. While I am always open to suggestions for interviews, but with the greatest of respect, I have more than enough knowledge myself on women’s boxing, at all levels. 99% of my work is around women’s boxing. Again, I doubt if anyone covers the female side of the sport with the depth that I do. 200+ articles/interviews for various outlets this year alone, should demonstrate that.
Contact was initially made with Tiah-Mai in January, I tried to interview all the girls who won the U19 World Championships, plus many more as previously detailed. If I have previously interviewed other girls who won gold at those World U19 Championships, is it not a reasonable expectation to think Tiah-Mai would be on my radar also? It’s just getting around to speaking to everyone. I was aware of her long before you started to message me about her.
For many reasons, interviews take time to arrange. Some fighters or their representatives don’t always reply in the first instance. It can take multiple messages/emails/texts to get something sorted. Even when contact is finally made, scheduling an interview isn’t always straightforward for loads of reasons, either at my end or with the fighter. It can be further complicated when fighters sign a deal to a promotion, they are then not allowed to talk about that deal until the deal is officially announced. Most of that applies in this case.
I was aware of the Matchroom deal for some time, but contact was made way before that. It was just extremely difficult getting the interview with her done. Messages have been going back-and-forth for some time, certainly in the weeks prior to her Matchroom deal getting announced. Things just take time. I’ve recently done one that took eight months to arrange. You need persistence and plenty of patience. Although, sometimes you simply have to walk away, which I have done quite a few times of late. I posted an article recently on another platform on this very subject.
Hope that helps.
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