Matchroom welcomes Tiah-Mai Ayton to the team
Teenage amateur sensation Tiah-Mai Ayton will turn professional with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing after the 18-year-old put pen to paper on a long-term promotional deal.
The Super-Bantamweight from Bristol is set to make her pro debut this summer following the conclusion of a glittering career in the amateurs in which she amassed an impressive unblemished 21-0 record.
Ayton, trained by Dean Lewis out of the Weston Warriors ABC and managed by Brian Peters, won the Haringey Box Cup in June 2024 at the 60kg Lightweight limit, stopping her opponents in the semi-final and final.
She went on to claim gold in the 57kg weight category at the World Championships in Colorado, USA in November, defeating India’s Anjali Singh via a unanimous decision in the final.
A five-time National Champion, Ayton was brought into Skye Nicolson’s camp as a sparring partner ahead of the Australian’s WBC Featherweight World Title clash with Tiara Brown in Sydney.
As well as an outstanding career in amateur boxing, Ayton also excelled in several other combat sports, becoming a World Champion in kickboxing and Muay Thai at the age of just 10.
“I’ve always wanted to turn pro with Eddie Hearn since I was a little girl,” said Ayton. “I think he’s 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 did get offered a Team GB contract, but I turned it down because I don’t suit the amateur style. I thought I may as well turn pro. 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.
“I’ve always had a professional style in the amateurs. I believe I’m destined for greatness in the pro game. Why not start now while I’m young? I sit on my shots and I’m powerful. I don’t jump around a lot and I’m not tippy tappy.
“I think the young fighters coming through the ranks just keep getting better and better every year. It’s our time to shine. I hope to make my professional debut in June or July. Hopefully you’ll see me then. I plan to make a statement.
“Fans will like watching me because I’ll knock people out and I’ll keep it entertaining for you lot. I think I can become an undisputed World Champion, winning a few World Titles in different categories.”
“Tiah-Mai Ayton is destined to become the next superstar of women’s boxing,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Her amateur record across multiple combat sports, not just boxing, is astounding, and she is hungry to get her professional boxing career underway as soon as possible.
“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.”
The newest signing follows on from Adam Maca, a five-time national champion who joined Matchroom on May 9.
You can follow Ayton’s journey on Instagram: tiahayton
