Getty ImagesYou’d forgive Tiah-Mai Ayton for being overwhelmed by a boxing world champion describing her as the future of the sport.
But the 19-year-old tells BBC Newsbeat she “fangirled” when Katie Taylor tipped her to become a star.
Tiah-Mai, who turned professional last year, is set to fight bantamweight Laura Belen Valdebenito, from Argentina, at London’s York Hall later.
“Hearing Katie say I could be the greatest of all time is crazy,” she says.
“Everyone looks up to Katie. Little me would be going crazy right now.
“It showed me I’m on the right track.”
Speaking to DAZN, two-weight undisputed champion Taylor described Tiah-Mai as “a seasoned pro” after watching her defeat France’s Lydie Bialic in September.
“I can’t believe she’s just turned 19. This is scary,” said Taylor at the time.
“I don’t think we’ve seen a talent like this in a long time.”
Being hyped up as “the future” by one of her heroes fuelled Tiah-Mai’s desire to make Taylor’s prediction come true.
As a child, the Bristol-born boxer’s dad encouraged her and her sister to turn sibling squabbles into training in the ring.
While fighting remained a hobby for her sister, it became Tiah-Mai’s career.
Her potential to turn professional was clear to those who watched her excel as a five-time national champion at youth level.
As she racked up titles as a teenager, Team GB had Tiah-Mai on its radar as a future Olympian.
“I knew from a young age that I was going to be a professional boxer,” she says.
“I didn’t think about anything else.
“If I didn’t have it, I would be so lost.”
‘Better under pressure’
Tiah-Mai dreams of following Taylor to the top and hopes doing so sparks the next generation of female fighters.
“I want to inspire them,” she tells Newsbeat.
“Women’s boxing is getting big but it could get better.
“Hopefully by the time I’ve finished my career, it’ll be easier for women to be treated the same as men in the sport.”
Her similiarities with Katie Taylor go beyond having big reputations.
They share a promoter after Tiah-Mai signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
While she aims to be part of a main event in future, the teenager’s on the undercard before Kieron Conway’s title defence against George Liddard on Friday.
She says she fights “better under pressure” and is eyeing her first knockout despite admitting she knows little about her opponent.
“No-one has ever stopped her,” says Tiah-Mai.
“I think if I do stop her, it’s going to be a big statement from me.”
