In the unpredictable world of combat sports, fighters often take unconventional paths to the spotlight. But few journeys are as improbable as that of Anthony Taylor. The American fighter, who faces former UFC title challenger Darren Till in a boxing match this Saturday, has an origin story that Hollywood would struggle to script.
Stripping and Sparring to Survive
Before Taylor ever set foot in a ring, he was a struggling amateur fighter without a home or steady income. Desperate to keep his combat sports dreams alive, he took on an array of odd jobs to pay the bills:
- Uber driver – Taylor spent long hours shuttling passengers to scrape together training funds.
- Stripper – In a surprising turn, he took to the stage to earn cash between fights.
But Taylor’s fortunes changed with one fateful phone call. BJ Flores, coach of YouTube star turned boxer Jake Paul, offered him $2,500 a week to be Paul’s sparring partner. It was an opportunity Taylor couldn’t refuse.
“I took the opportunity to spar with Jake Paul because one: Jake Paul is a big name and two: he would offer me $10,000 a month. You’re not going to pass that up.”
– Anthony Taylor
That decision altered the trajectory of Taylor’s combat sports career. He befriended Paul and even fought the YouTuber’s rival Tommy Fury on a Paul undercard in 2021. Though he lost the bout, it opened Taylor’s eyes to the lucrative world of crossover boxing.
The Twisting Path of Darren Till
On the other side of Saturday’s marquee matchup is Darren Till, whose path to the boxing ring was markedly different. The Liverpool native was once on the cusp of UFC superstardom:
- In 2018, Till fought for the UFC welterweight title against champion Tyron Woodley.
- After coming up short, he moved up to middleweight in search of gold.
- Impressive wins over Kelvin Gastelum and Robert Whittaker had him on the brink of a title shot.
But a series of setbacks inside the octagon saw Till released from the UFC in early 2023. After nearly two years away from competition, the Englishman is embarking on his own crossover boxing journey, starting with Anthony Taylor.
“I’m just going to be extremely violent towards Anthony Taylor. I’m not going to give him an inch.”
– Darren Till
The Showdown and Beyond
While Till versus Taylor may lack the championship stakes of their prior pursuits, both men have plenty to fight for. At 29 years old, Till is determined to prove he still has a future at the highest levels of combat sports. Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Taylor views the bout as a stepping stone to his ultimate ambition: joining the ranks of the WWE.
No matter the outcome on Saturday, Anthony Taylor’s incredible journey from the stage to the boxing ring is a testament to his unshakable drive. Against all odds, through unimaginable twists, he has manifested the opportunity of a lifetime. And if his track record is any indication, this is just the beginning of an even more astonishing next chapter.
