Speaking to DAZN last month, Taylor – considered by many to be the greatest female boxer of all time – heaped praise on Ayton after she claimed her second stoppage victory with a win over Lydie Bialic in Sunderland in early September.
“I don’t think we’ve seen a talent like this in a long time,” Taylor enthused.
“This is the best female boxer in the world right here. This is the future right here. It’s a privilege to watch such a talent.
“I can’t believe she’s just turned 19 years of age. This is scary.
“She’s like a seasoned pro in there. I learned from watching her fight – amazing performance.”
Chatting at the undercard final press conference ahead of her upcoming bout in London, Ayton was asked what it was like to receive such incredible praise so early in her career from such a legendary figure of the sport.
“Yeah, it’s crazy that she said that about me,” she admitted.
“Because little me would have been like, ‘Oh my god, Katie Taylor is, like, gassing me up and everything!’
“But when I’m in the gym and all that now, I just think, if she thinks I can be the best woman boxer to ever live, then going to the gym every day, it’s all worth it. Hopefully I can live up to the standard that she’s told everyone about.”
Katie Taylor has tipped Tiah-Mai Ayton to become the best ever in women’s boxing 🐐
No pressure 😉#ConwayLiddard | Oct 17 | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/kdeYXc51U4
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 15, 2025
Ayton made a big impression on her pro debut when she stopped Sara Orszagi in the third round. Then she repeated the feat with another third-round finish, this time of Bialic, as she earned that remarkable praise from women’s boxing icon Taylor.
Ayton returns to the ring on Friday, October 17 when she takes on Laura Belen Valdebenito at London’s iconic York Hall, where she’ll feature on the undercard of the Kieron Conway vs George Liddard event.
It’s another opportunity for Ayton to shine, with the DAZN cameras televising the event. And while she’s only just starting out in the pro ranks, she said that her mindset is such that she just can’t see herself losing.
“I don’t know. I’ve never lost – I did when I was eight, but that didn’t really count!” she smiled.
“But I just feel like, I don’t know, I just couldn’t see another woman or anyone being me, ever. I just wouldn’t allow that to happen to me, ever.”
https://www.youtube.com/live/NGIZ8vXnv2I?si=tITYSFjX10-nwOnb&t=1018
