The Teen Chasing History: Tiah-Mai Ayton Bold Bid to Become Youngest Undisputed Champion

At just 19 years old, Tiah-Mai Ayton isn’t shy about sharing her dreams. In fact, the Bristol-born fighter has set herself one of the most ambitious goals in boxing today: to become the youngest ever undisputed champion in the four-belt era across any weight division, and across both men’s and women’s boxing.

“I can definitely do that,” she says with the kind of conviction that makes you believe it’s possible. And when you take a closer look at her journey so far, it’s clear why she carries herself with such confidence.

The Teen with Her Eyes on Becoming the Youngest Undisputed Champion

Ayton will step into the ring for just her second professional fight against France’s Lydie Bialic on Saturday. Yet her résumé already reads like something from a seasoned pro. With more than 300 combat sports contests under her belt across Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and boxing, she’s suffered only three defeats—each one avenged in style.

When she was told about America’s Gabriela Fundora, who became undisputed flyweight champion at just 22 in November 2024, Ayton’s reaction was instant: “I could do that. I can definitely do that.”

For her, it isn’t just about being the youngest. It’s about rewriting the record books on multiple levels.

“I want to be undisputed in bantamweight and super-bantamweight and then it goes featherweight and super-featherweight,” Ayton explains. “I want to do those four categories, and I want to be undisputed in all four. It’s high expectations, but I think I can do it.”

To put that into perspective, only one fighter in history—Claressa Shields—has managed to unify all four major belts in three divisions. No one, male or female, has yet managed it in four. Ayton wants to be the first.

A Fighter with Big Dreams—and Simple Desires

Tiah-Mai Ayton posing with her team after her professional debut win

With women’s boxing growing rapidly thanks to the likes of Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, the sport now offers bigger paydays than ever before. Yet Ayton isn’t dazzled by the money. In fact, her ambitions outside the ring couldn’t be further from flashy.

“I want a farm,” she laughs. “I want cows, sheep, goats and chickens. That’s my dream. I’ll just live a quiet life on my farm and then when I train, I’ll go into camp, and then go back and be peaceful.”

It’s a refreshingly grounded outlook from a teenager already tipped as the next big star of British boxing.

From Family Fights to the Boxing Ring

Ayton’s path into combat sports wasn’t the result of careful planning or a family legacy—it began with childhood scraps with her sister.

“It’s actually so silly,” she admits. “Me and my sister always used to fight all the time. My dad got us into kickboxing at the age of six, and I just carried it on from there. I’ve always known I’d be a fighter.”

And fight she did. At youth level, she became a five-time national champion, before going on to win gold at the amateur World Championships in Colorado in the 57kg category. She also lifted the prestigious Haringey Box Cup at lightweight, one of the biggest amateur tournaments in Europe.

All of this came before her professional debut in June, when she made an emphatic statement by stopping Sara Orszagi in the third round.

Why She Walked Away from the Olympic Dream

With her glittering youth record, Ayton was quickly earmarked as a potential Team GB Olympian. But she turned down the opportunity.

“I had the opportunity to go with GB but I’m a family person and I love being with my family. I didn’t want to move away to Sheffield,” she says.

It wasn’t just the move that put her off. Ayton also struggled with the amateur style, which prioritises points and clean punches over raw aggression.

“I feel like the whole style of amateur just didn’t suit me,” she says. “I just like getting in there and fighting. I like stopping people.”

That mindset made the decision simple: Ayton turned professional at just 18, signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing earlier this year.

Living with Pressure and Proving the Hype

Being signed by Matchroom brings opportunities, but also pressure. With a 21-0 amateur record and the reputation of being Britain’s brightest young female prospect, Ayton felt the weight of expectation even before her first pro fight.

“I remember having a chat with my coach Dean Lewis before,” she recalls. “We both had pressure on us. Everyone has bigged me up and when people lose, they blame it on their coaches, so we had a lot of pressure on us.

“I know what I’m capable of and he knows what I’m capable of. It’s just another day for me really. I’ve been fighting since I can remember. It’s just about winning, that’s all I care about.”

That no-nonsense attitude is part of what makes her so compelling. Despite her braces and teenage charm, Ayton carries herself with the assurance of someone who’s been here before.

A New Star Rising in Women’s Boxing

Women’s boxing has exploded in recent years, with packed arenas and headline pay-per-view fights showcasing stars like Katie Taylor, Claressa Shields, and Amanda Serrano. Now, Ayton is positioning herself as part of that next wave.

The teenager’s ambition, combined with her decorated amateur career and eye-catching professional debut, make her one of the most exciting young prospects in the sport. But it’s her belief—quiet yet unshakeable—that sets her apart.

“I want to fight for my dream,” she says. “This is my opportunity. It’s a risk, but I want to take that chance. I’ve got a long time, and I know what I can do.”

At just 19, Ayton isn’t just fighting opponents in the ring. She’s also fighting history, determined to carve her name alongside the greats and perhaps even go one better.

And if her story so far is anything to go by, don’t be surprised if she makes good on her promise to become the youngest undisputed champion in boxing history.