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Amateur boxer, 18, signs professional contract

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol
Matchroom Boxing Tiah -Mai Ayton flexing her biceps while looking into the camera. She is standing in the boxing ring wearing a black sports bra, black boxing gloves with her hair plaited into tight cornrows. Matchroom Boxing
Tiah-Mai Ayton says she is looking forward to stepping into the pro league

An 18-year-old boxer has signed a professional contract after amassing an undefeated 21-0 record in amateur boxing.

Tiah-Mai Ayton, who trained with Weston Warriors boxing club in Somerset, is set to make her debut this summer with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing promotors.

The Super-Bantamweight from Bristol is a five-time national champion, and won gold in the 57kg weight category at the World Championships in Colorado, USA.

Mr Hearn described her as the "next superstar of women's boxing".

Matchroom Boxing Tiah throwing a punch towards her opponent in the boxing ring. She is wearing black shorts with gold fringing details and black boxing gloves, with her hair in tight plaits. Matchroom Boxing
Ms Ayton says her combat-sport career was born out of the fact she and her sister used to fight a lot, so their father enrolled her in boxing classes

Ms Ayton won the televised Haringey Box Cup in June last year at the 60kg Lightweight limit.

The 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."

Matchroom Boxing Tiah standing next to Eddie Hearn in the boxing ring. She is wearing a black sports bra, black boxing gloves with her hair plaited into cornrows. Eddie Hearn is smiling and pointing at her. Matchroom Boxing
Eddie Hearn has promoted many world champion boxers through Matchroom, including Anthony Joshua, Canelo Álvarez and Gennady Golovkin

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."

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