Saturday night in Sunderland turned into a showcase for the next generation of British boxing, as 19-year-old Tiah-Mai Ayton delivered a performance that had fans and legends alike buzzing about her future. The young bantamweight from Bristol secured her second professional stoppage win, dispatching France’s Lydie Bialic in emphatic style and drawing high praise from none other than two-weight undisputed champion Katie Taylor.
Ayton, who turned professional barely a year ago at 18, entered the ring with a wealth of experience—over 300 amateur fights across boxing and kickboxing. But it was her clinical dismantling of Bialic that truly announced her arrival on the pro scene. The fight, part of the undercard for the Pat McCormack-Miguel Parra event, saw Ayton knock down Bialic in the third round, then unleash a barrage of heavy right hands in the fourth. The referee had no choice but to step in, stopping the contest as Bialic, bloodied and battered, was sent to the canvas once more.
Afterwards, Katie Taylor—herself a pioneer for women’s boxing and a fighter who has helped bring seven-figure purses to the sport—didn’t hold back in her assessment. Speaking at ringside with DAZN, Taylor said, “I don’t think we’ve seen a talent like this in a long time. 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.”
For Ayton, such praise is more than just a feather in her cap—it’s a sign that her journey is being closely watched by the sport’s elite. And with performances like Saturday’s, it’s easy to see why. The young Englishwoman’s composure, power, and ring IQ belied her years, leaving many to wonder just how high her ceiling might be.
But Ayton wasn’t the only teenager making waves on a night that felt like a changing of the guard. The undercard in Sunderland featured a trio of rising prospects who wasted no time in making statements of their own. Adam Maca, just 18 and only three weeks into his professional career, squared off against Francisco Rodriguez in a bantamweight clash. Maca knocked Rodriguez down in the fourth and final round, prompting the Spainard’s corner to throw in the towel. It was a clinical finish, and one that announced Maca as a name to watch in the coming months.
Meanwhile, heavyweight Leo Atang, also 18, delivered perhaps the most explosive finish of the night. Facing fellow Briton Cristian Uwaka, Atang needed just one round to secure a stoppage, blasting away his opponent with a barrage of punches that left no doubt about his power. The young heavyweight’s display was a reminder that British boxing’s pipeline of talent is as deep as ever, with new stars emerging seemingly every month.
The night also marked a crucial step in the comeback story of Sandy Ryan. Once a world champion, Ryan had endured a rough patch, dropping her welterweight world title to Mikaela Mayer and then losing the rematch in March 2025. But against Jade Grierson, Ryan looked determined to rebuild. She boxed smartly, controlling the action and ultimately earning a unanimous decision—her first win since March 2024. With the victory, Ryan improved to eight career wins and set her sights on returning to world title contention within the next year.
“I needed this win,” Ryan said post-fight, her relief evident. “The last year has been tough, but I’m focused on getting back to the top. I know what I’m capable of, and tonight was just the first step.”
While Sunderland was buzzing with youthful promise, the boxing world’s attention was also drawn to Dublin, where Michael Conlan delivered a reminder that the veterans aren’t ready to step aside just yet. On Friday night at the 3Arena, the 33-year-old Belfast fighter scored a stunning fourth-round knockout over Jack Bateson—a result that could catapult him back into the world title conversation.
Conlan, who’s no stranger to criticism, made it clear after the fight that outside opinions no longer faze him. “I just felt like I’m back,” Conlan said in the immediate aftermath. “You probably heard me scream it after, because, listen, I’m probably one of the most criticised fighters from the island at times, but I proved to myself that I’m still there.”
When pressed about the constant scrutiny he faces, Conlan didn’t mince words: “I don’t give a f*** what anybody says anymore. I actually don’t care and that’s something that I’ve learned over the last while. Tonight, I didn’t prove anybody anything, I only proved it to myself. I don’t care about opinions because if I do that I’ll forever be down in the dumps because I get an awful lot of hate. If BBC NI put an article up about me, they tell be 900 comments and probably 890 of them are negative comments. So what’s the point of caring? It’s irrelevant. Whatever it is, love me or hate me, I’m still going to do what I do.”
Conlan’s victory was more than just a personal statement—it was a reminder of his quality and resilience. After a period where his career seemed to stall, the emphatic knockout of Bateson has injected new life into his pursuit of world honors. The win was a timely one, with many observers suggesting that Conlan could be in line for another shot at a world title if he can maintain this form.
Back in Sunderland, the mood was one of optimism and anticipation. With Ayton, Maca, and Atang all making their mark, and with experienced fighters like Ryan and Conlan proving they still have plenty left in the tank, British and Irish boxing fans have plenty to look forward to as the year unfolds. The mix of youth and experience on display over the weekend served as a vivid reminder of the sport’s enduring appeal—and its capacity for both reinvention and redemption.
As the lights dimmed in the arenas and fans filtered out into the night, one thing was clear: the future of boxing—on both sides of the Irish Sea—looks brighter than ever. With hungry young talents eager to stake their claim and seasoned veterans refusing to fade away, the stage is set for a thrilling run-in to the end of 2025. Stay tuned—this new generation is just getting started.
