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Anthony Taylor (fighter)
American professional boxer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Anthony Taylor (born 23 June 1989) known by the ring name Pretty Boy is an American professional boxer[1][2] and former professional mixed martial artist under Bellator,[3] retiring with 7 wins and 5 losses. He is currently signed to KSI's Misfits Boxing and is the current MFB Light-Heavyweight Champion. He has an unranked record with Misfits of 7 wins, 7 losses, and 2 draws[4] bringing his total MMA and boxing statistics to 24 fights, 14 wins, and 10 losses.
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Mixed martial arts career
Taylor made his professional MMA debut in 2015 against Adin Duenas at Bellator 147 losing via rear naked choke following a rocky amateur career of 5 wins and 8 losses. Winning only one fight in four following his debut, he was subsequently dropped by Bellator and joined CFC (Cage Fighting Championships) in 2017. He won his first fight for the promotion via decision against Trey Branch. Losing twice again he joined BAMMA in 2018 where he fought twice, winning both bouts, before being resigned by Bellator where he faced and beat Chris Avila.[5]
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Boxing career
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Taylor vs Fury
Taylor retired from professional MMA in 2020 to purse a move to professional boxing. Taylor return to the ring after to four years to face English boxer Tommy Fury (6–0) at the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on August 29, 2021. The bout took place on the Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley undercard in which Fury defeated Taylor via unanimous decision.[6]
Taylor vs Avila II
Four months later, Taylor fought American mixed martial artist Chris Avila after obtaining two wins in Tijuana, Mexico. Taylor and Avila had previously fought before, the first time as an MMA bout at Bellator 238, in which Taylor won.[7] The bout took place at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on the Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley II undercard on December 18, and saw Avila defeat Taylor via majority decision.[8]
A year later, Taylor fought English musician Ashley Rak-Su from the Rak-Su boyband, on the MF & DAZN: X Series 002 undercard. The bout took place on October 15, 2022 at the Utilita Arena Sheffield in Sheffield, England. Taylor defeated Rak-Su via unanimous decision.[9]
On December 6, 2022, Taylor's most challenging matchup was announced for MF & DAZN: X Series 004, being English boxer Idris Virgo (12–0–1). The bout took place on January 14, 2023 at Wembley Arena in London, England, in which Virgo defeated Taylor via unanimous decision.[10]
Taylor vs Papi
On April 13, Taylor vs Filipino influencer Salt Papi was announced for MF & DAZN: X Series 007 for May 13 at Wembley Arena in London, England.[11] Taylor defeated Papi via unanimous decision and was awarded Prime Fighter of the Night.[12]
MFB light heavyweight championship
Cancelled outnumbered bout with KSI
On June 8, 2024, English megastar KSI uploaded a YouTube video challenging both Taylor and American YouTuber Slim Albaher to a 2 vs. 1 outnumbered tag team match, after negotiations to face former unified light welterweight champion Amir Khan failed.[13] Taylor accepted the challenge on Twitter. On June 30, the bout between KSI, Taylor, and Albaher was made official, and was set to take place as the headliner for MF & DAZN: X Series 17 at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.[14] However, fans began to speculate if the bout had been cancelled following KSI deleting the bout announcement across his social media.[15] On 1 August, KSI confirmed his withdrawal in a Twitter post due to an injury sustained.[16]
Taylor vs Ericsson
Following the cancellation of Taylor's outnumbered match, his next bout was announced to be against South Korean former kickboxer Samuel Ericsson. Originally, Ericsson was set to face to face American influencer OJ Rose, but was cancelled after Rose was arrested. The bout took place on MF & DAZN: X Series 16 at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida. Taylor defeated Ericsson via technical knockout in the third round and retained his MFB title.[17]
Taylor vs Silva
Taylor was then rebooked for MF & DAZN: X Series 17, but this time against Brazilian mixed martial artist Gabriel Silva, serving as the co-main event alongside the new headliner, Danny Aarons vs Danny Simpson.[18] Originally, Taylor and Silva were set to fight each other on MF & DAZN: X Series 13, but was cancelled following Silva's withdrawal. Taylor defeated Silva via technical knockout and retained his MFB title.[19]
Taylor vs Till
On 6 December, Taylor's next bout was announced to be against former UFC welterweight challenger challenger Darren Till, following the withdrawal of Fury as Till's original opponent.[20] The bout took place as the headliner for MF & DAZN: X Series 20 at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Till defeated Taylor via technical knockout in the sixth round.[21]
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Personal life
Anthony Taylor grew up in alameda, California. He graduated from Encinal high school. Before becoming a professional MMA fighter, Taylor made money as an Uber driver and male stripper.[22] Before his professional boxing debut, Taylor was made homeless.[23]
Professional boxing record
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Mixed martial arts record
| 12 matches | 7 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 1 |
| By submission | 1 | 4 |
| By decision | 5 | 0 |
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References
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