Those new to boxing may imagine the big paydays in the shining lights of the biggest arenas in the world are normal among all those in the fight game. However, in reality, it is only a select few at the top of the tree that revel in the big bucks.
The most common story is a constant balancing act between your personal and professional life when your world revolves around training and fighting. This is especially difficult for those just beginning their pro career, having to decide their priorities, in some cases, activity or sanity.
A good example is Southampton local, Taylor Bevan, who is soon to fight in his hometown at St Mary’s Stadium in his second fight of 2026. It’s more good news for him after his first full year as a pro saw him step between the ropes six times, but it came with sacrifices.
The 25-year-old clearly knows what he wants, and it could mean wonders for his career, in which he’s already been touted as a future world champion:
“I wasn’t expecting to be as active as I have been, every two months.
“It’s been the perfect first year.”
However, Bevan revealed the relentlessness he’s had to deal with to get the results he was after:
“Haven’t had too much time between fights. A six, seven-week camp, then a week or two off and then the next camp.”
Having six fights in one year is even more impressive given boxing often provides no stability, leaving fighters unable to settle into normal routines. Instead they have to spend countless hours in the gym, just in case the call for the next fight is just around the corner:
“You never know when you’ll be boxing”
Luckily, Taylor is hot property and could look back with a smile when he remembers that one of those six fights took place at the iconic York Hall:
“Eddie [Hearn] seems to put on a few more shows there and my supporters enjoyed that venue the most, but that one was a special atmosphere.
“Really enjoyed it”
But such is a boxer’s life, he didn’t have long to rant and rave about it before the next step up called, but he was prepared:
“It’s been difficult, but I’m used to the busy schedule from the amateurs.”
The level of activity from his formative years has made the need for it at the higher level easier to deal with:
“I’ve always been busy in my boxing career. I wouldn’t have done that any other way.
“I think it’s much better to be busy and get on with it.”
Bevan carries power in abundance.
He currently holds a 100% knockout percentage. However, that does bring the pressure of trying to keep it as long as possible, but he knows there’s going to be a time when it falls:
“I’ve got a 100% knockout rate at the moment, but I don’t put any pressure on myself to keep that. If I get them out then that’s a bonus.
“As long as they get locked up, I’m more than happy.
“I’m going to go the distance at some point in my career.
“Very rarely do people have a 100% knockout rate their whole career, it’s something I’m going to come across.”
The Southampton native is keen to take what he has done so far in his career to turn 2027 into a very successful year for him:
“Boxing for a little title or something, but I’ll leave that to the team who’ll decide how far we are going to step up the level of the opponent.
“I think this time next year, I’d think I probably wouldn’t have been as active as I have the
first year because as the rounds start building, I can’t box as frequently.
“I’d like to stay as active as I can and maybe start to look at a few little
titles.”
Some goals he won’t have to wait till next year for, and instead will realise them on June 20th.
“Maybe a little show or main event somewhere down south would be nice.”
“I’d like Southampton. Obviously, most of my support at the moment is coming from Southampton.
“That’s where I’ve grown up and that’s where my mates are from.
He’s about to realise his childhood dream that he’s predicted almost perfectly:
“They’ve got St. Mary’s there, maybe in the summer time, a nice day.
“That would be a nice idea, something I thought about growing up.”
With the right skills and a strong mentality already present, June 20th will be the day Bevan’s hectic schedule rewards him by bringing him home.
James Mclean Sports 