(APR 8) Tammy “TNT” Taylor, an
aspiring professional boxer is set to make her professional
debut as a middleweight on May 18 at the Jupiters Hotel &
Casino, in Bradbeach, Queensland, Australia against Linda
Eliason (0-1). She leaves behind an amateur career that
witnessed her win various state and national titles and
represent Australia internationally.
Mark Jones: Why boxing? What made you choose the sport?
Tammy Taylor: I have always loved boxing. I got into boxing
because my grandfather was actually a World Champion! So a few
of my family members trained and fought also. I was the first
girl in the family to fight, and have been the most successful.
I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy/rough kid growing up, so I
fit in well. Boxing also helped me lose a lot of weight! My
highest weight was 125kg!
Mark Jones: How long have you been an amateur boxer?
Tammy Taylor: I have been an amateur for around 5 years-I
succeeded really quickly in my short time due to my work ethic
and attitude.
Mark Jones: What are your accomplishments in the amateur ranks?
Tammy Taylor: I won my first fight by RSC (TKO) and was hooked
after that! I won my first Australian National Title after only
3 fights. I have various won state and national titles in both
the 69 & 75kg division and was the first female in history from
the state of NSW to win a National Title. I have represented
Australia on 3 occasions, including Oceana Games, Arafura Games
and the Female World Championships in Barbados (where I was
lucky enough to train with, spar and fight the best in the
world) and won a bronze medal for Australia at an international
tournament. I have held scholarships with the NSW Institute of
Sport and trained at the Australian Institute of Sport.
I was also one of the most active lobbyists for the legalization
of female boxing in the state of NSW (the last state to allowed
women to compete) and received a commendation from Julia Gillard
(Prime Minister of Australia) for my efforts. After
heartbreakingly being injured at the time of the 2012 Olympic
Trails (being a leading contender), and finding it hard to get
matches in the amateurs-I decided it was time to turn
professional. It has always been a goal, and I feel I am more
suited to that style of fighting.
Mark Jones: When did female boxing become legal in NSW?
Tammy Taylor: Mid 2008.
Mark Jones: Is professional women’s boxing showcased in
Australia?
Tammy Taylor: Female boxing is on the rise and coming into the
spotlight much more in Australia! The talent and quality
of fighters coming through is incredible and is starting to be
recognized. Unfortunately, however, at this stage we don’t
receive enough media coverage, and female fights are rarely
televised-which is a shame, because it would be great for
viewers to see what female boxing is about and showcase our
skill. Foxtel (Australia’s cable TV who televises all sports)
almost seem to be a little scared to televise us, as I think
they are unsure how the public would feel about it. I have only
EVER seen 2 female fights on TV.
There are allot more amateurs than professionals here;
therefore, it is rare to see a female pro fight on the card, and
it is kind of a novelty/treat to see it! Crowds seem to
thoroughly enjoy watching, get quite excited and always respect
and encourage the females during the bout and approach us
afterwards! Often the female bout is the fight of the night as
it is exciting and unexpected.
Australia has a promising future with the females currently in
the pro ranks who are undoubtedly going to make a mark on the
world stage. I believe within 5 years Australia will hold quite
a few Female World Titles, and I plan on contributing to that.
Mark Jones: What are your thoughts on why women’s boxing isn’t
showcased in the United States?
Tammy Taylor: I think the US is lucky compared to Australia with
Female Boxing. I have travelled to the US for boxing with the
Australian Team, and It seems to be accepted and encouraged
allot more there!
I think the mentality is much the same as when the military
wanted to change the laws about putting females on the front
line in combat…they used the excuse that it's ‘too hard’,
‘uncomfortable’, and that ‘the public wouldn’t tolerate the
casualties’. There would be much more empathy and sensitivity if
a brutal female bout was televised as opposed to a male. We are
seen as the ‘protected gender’, seen as more sensitive and to
have a unique role in nurturing. So I think TV producers and
networks are trying to save the possible offence it may cause or
negative feedback.
Equal rights and female boxing have come a long way, but it’s
all about changing people’s attitudes towards it and for Boxing
not to just be viewed as a ‘males sport’. I believe this can
certainly be achieved by televising evenly matched fights
between experienced female fighters!
Mark Jones: What professional boxer, if any, have you modeled
yourself after?
Tammy Taylor: I don’t model myself after anyone, nor do I fight
anyone else’s fight ;) But I certainly have a lot of role models
whom I look to for inspiration, tricks, techniques and signature
moves/punches.
Mark Jones: Who are your role models/inspirations?
Tammy Taylor: I have a few inspirations and role models. Ina Menzer is undoubtedly a favorite of mine as far as females go,
and Saul Alvarez & Mike Tyson for movement and power.
Mark Jones: When is your professional debut?
Tammy Taylor: My professional debut is May 18th on the Gold
Coast, Australia. I will be fighting Linda Eliason at
Middleweight (72.5kg)
Mark Jones: What is your daily training schedule like?
Tammy Taylor: My training schedule is pretty intense at the
moment as I am fighting in 8weeks. I am a boxer who is in
constant training, but really steps it up around fight time. I
have stepped it up ALLOT since going from amateur to pro and am
training harder, smarter and more ‘boxing specific’ than ever.
As well as training with my coach, our team has specialist
strength & conditioning coach who takes care of all of our
weights and fitness programs.
I wake at 5am every day and start with conditioning-the days
vary from; -Long Distance Runs (up to 8kms at the moment, will
increase in the coming weeks); -Fitness & plyometric Circuits;
-Weights (for power and speed); -to intense sprint training.
I then return to the gym in the afternoon (after work) and train
with the Pro team.
My gym is a boxing specific gym that runs programs for
Beginners, Intermediate, Amateur Fighters, Professionals and
juniors. There are about 6-7 Professional boxers (including 3
Olympians) who train in the Pro team in the afternoons-I am the
only female.
The afternoon is when we really get our one on one technique
time with our coach and run through many different drills from
Shadow Sparring, ring control, movement and footwork, partner
work drills, pads, bag drills, floor to ceiling etc. Our
afternoon sessions are always well planned out and really target
things that we need to work on. My coach is singularly focused
on perfect technique and throwing punches properly & effectively
with body movement.
We get fit and strong in the mornings and fine tune our skills
in the afternoons.
Saturdays are often sparring days in the morning, and I always
finish the day off with a long run. We usually leave sparring
until 4-6 weeks before fight time so that we are well
conditioned.
My diet is pretty clean. I have done workshops and courses in
nutrition and received advice about boxer/pre fight nutrition
from some of the best coaches in the country. I stick to a lot
of fruit, vegetables and proteins and lots of water! A great
source of protein in fight camp which my team is pretty keened
on is Kangaroo meat!
I also sleep allot! I get extremely exhausted after a day’s
training, so I aim to get around 9-10 hours.
Trainer: Gareth Williams
Manager: Gareth Williams
Gym Name: Team TBS (The Boxing Shop)
Nick Name: ‘TNT’
Amateur record: Approx. 30 fights
Home Town: Brisbane, QLD
Birth Place: Penrith, NSW
Stance: orthodox
Height: 179cm (5’ 10 ½”)
Reach: 71”
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