Tiah-Mai Ayton, a British teenager with a remarkable background in kickboxing and Muay Thai, has made the leap into professional boxing with her sights firmly set on becoming an undisputed world champion.
Starting martial arts at just six years old, Tiah-Mai’s passion was sparked when her parents noticed her playful fighting with her younger sister. By age 10, her dedication paid off as she became a world champion in both kickboxing and Muay Thai.
Transitioning to amateur boxing, she claimed five national titles and won gold in the 57kg category at the World Championships in Colorado last November. Despite an invitation to join Team GB’s Olympic boxing squad, she decided at 18 to turn professional, believing it’s her best path to the top.
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“I want to become an undisputed world champion,” Tiah-Mai explains. “Everyone dreams of achieving something in the sport they’ve loved since childhood. I train hard and never give up. Now, I’m exactly where I want to be.”
Her journey hasn’t been easy. The commitment requires sacrifices—giving up a social life and even college, which she left early to focus entirely on boxing. Yet, the support of her large family, including eight siblings, keeps her motivated.
“I’m the oldest,” she shares. “If my sisters argue, they say, ‘My sister is a boxer,’ and I just stay quiet—I’m not much into arguing.”
Currently training at Western Warriors gym in Western-Super-Mare, Tiah-Mai has signed a long-term deal with Matchroom Boxing, promoted by Eddie Hearn. She is preparing for her professional debut set for July.
Training two to three times daily, sparring with former world champion Skye Nicolson has boosted her confidence: “She’s an excellent boxer.”
Tiah-Mai wants to inspire more young girls to take up boxing and challenge the misconception that it’s a male-only sport. “Watching women fight is even more brutal sometimes,” she says. “Women just get in there and fight.”
Her ambition extends beyond a single title. “In the pros, there are four world titles,” she says. “I want to win all of them at my weight and hopefully in higher categories too. Some think it’s impossible, but I truly believe I can achieve it.”