Darren Till made a triumphant entrance to the boxing world on January 18, 2025, by defeating Anthony Taylor in the main event of Misfits Boxing 20 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England. This marked Till's first professional boxing match after transitioning from mixed martial arts, where he made his reputation as a skilled fighter.
Originally slated to fight Tommy Fury, Till faced Taylor instead due to Fury's dramatic withdrawal after Till had insinuated using MMA techniques during the clash. Stepping up on short notice, Taylor aimed to demonstrate his boxing prowess against the former UFC welterweight title challenger. The event featured not only this highly anticipated bout but also several other exciting matchups.
From the outset, it was clear Till had the upper hand. He showcased his superior skill set, applying pressure and landing powerful punches early on. The first round saw him dominating with his height and reach advantage, making it challenging for Taylor to find his rhythm. Each subsequent round highlighted Till's boxing capabilities, with flawless combinations and pinpoint uppercuts landing consistently against Taylor.
Despite being outmatched, Taylor demonstrated incredible heart and resilience throughout the bout. He even managed to rally during the fifth round, landing some solid shots and causing damage to Till’s nose, proving he belonged in the ring and could still pose challenges. Yet, it was Till's strength and technical prowess which shone brightest.
By the sixth round, the battle came to its climactic conclusion. Till dropped Taylor multiple times, showing no signs of slowing down. The decisive moment came when Till landed an uppercut, flooring Taylor and leaving the referee no choice but to stop the fight. The official result: Darren Till wins by TKO at one minute and five seconds of round six.
Post-fight, Till expressed his respect for Taylor, acknowledging the effort he put forth on short notice. “Credit to Anthony, he stepped in late and put up a good fight. Let's not talk about the ****** who dropped out of this fight. I've spent time out of the ring but now am ready for this. Misfits now, let's see what is in store,” Till stated passionately, calling out potential challengers within the boxing scene, including influencer KSI and his former UFC rival, Jorge Masvidal.
The event carried additional significance with its stacked undercard, where other fighters also fought for glory. Notably, Wade Plemons made his debut with a victory over Masai Warrior, and Carla Jade faced off against Melanie Shah for the lightweight title, ending the bout in a split draw.
Till’s rapid rise within the boxing ranks is likely to draw attention, especially as he seeks active competition following his successful debut. This performance could be the catalyst for his ambitions of becoming not just known as a UFC fighter but as a legitimate boxer as well.
With solid wins under his belt and potential matchups on the horizon, fans eagerly anticipate what the future holds for Darren Till inside the boxing ring. His debut victory stands as proof of his dedication to the sport and hints at the thrills to come as he continues to navigate this new chapter of his fighting career.