Omarah Taylor eyeing up the division’s best
Omarah Taylor (2-0, 1KO) showed she has power as well as skill in her last fight, and the highly touted prospect will be looking for a hat-trick of wins Friday night at the Hangar Venue in Wolverhampton on BCB Promotions ‘Pride of the Black Country’.
The 30-year-old from Birmingham turned professional back in December after an extensive amateur career that saw her box all over the world as well as spar some of the biggest names in the sport.
Her last bout in April saw her pick up her first knockout victory with a dominating five-round drubbing of Marija Zivkovic at the Bescot Stadium in Walsall.
It was a seriously impressive performance, but she had to show her full arsenal of shots before referee Peter McCormack finally called a halt to proceedings with just over a minute of the fifth round remaining.
“The referee made me work for my stoppage, said Taylor. I hit her with everything everywhere, and she brought out a different side of me. It had been quite a while since I last got a stoppage back in the amateurs, so to get her out of there in the distance was a big confidence boost for myself and helped to get more eyes on me.
This will be her third fight in seven months and her first at welterweight, a hot division in the UK with the likes of Sandy Ryan and Lauren Price gaining big followings and main eventing televised shows. Taylor isn’t looking to cut corners, but she knows some big things could head her way in the not-so-distant future.
“I wouldn’t say I am in a mad rush, but I am 30 now and, in this sport, opportunities might come very quickly. It would be easy to be pushed too fast, but the way we have done it—starting straight on six-rounders and boxing in a variety of styles—has been right. Then, all being well, I can step up to eight and then take my first title shot of some sort, aiming for early next year.
“It’s good that Errol hasn’t just kept me in one venue and that I have been able to experience three different cities in my first three pro fights. I don’t want things to ever feel the same, and I have been to the Hangar for other shows and am looking forward to getting in there.
Cheering Taylor on at the Bescot was Olympic silver medalist and elite prospect gymmate Ben Whittaker, who only fought last weekend himself. Both train under accomplished coach Joby Clayton, and being around the Boxxer-signed star has given Taylor an idea of what her future could resemble.
“Joby isn’t just a coach in terms of boxing; he gives me so much guidance on things outside the ring as well; he’s a mentor, and he does that for all of us. We are a small team, and I have seen how much Ben has to do in terms of media and preparation for his fights, so it has given me a good insight into hopefully what’s to come for myself.
Tickets for Pride of the Black Country are now available, priced at £40 standard and £80 VIP, from the boxers directly or by emailing info@bcb-promotions.com.