AFL Women’s star Tayla Harris continues to dominate in the boxing ring as she delivers a killer blow to her opponent to win her second title
- AFL women’s star Tayla Harris’ stunning domination in the boxing ring continues
- Defeated Janay Harding in the fourth round to claim the super welterweight title
- It’s a second national boxing title for Harris, who remains unbeaten in the ring
AFL women’s star Tayla Harris’ unbeaten run in the boxing ring has continued with a second national title.
A month after claiming the Australian middleweight title, Harris added the super welterweight championship to when she defeated Janay Harding in Melbourne on Friday night.
Harris, 22, is yet to beaten in the ring with seven wins and a draw from eight professional fights.
AFL women’s league star Tayla Harris (pictured) is now a two-time national boxing champion following a victory against Kiwi opponent Janay Harding on Friday night
Tayla Harris (pictured at the recent Women in Sport awards) is a champion in two codes
The bout was evenly poised for the first three rounds before Harris delivered the killer blow in the fourth round.
After two right hooks sent Harding to the floor, a flurry of left-right combinations followed by a final knock out blow put the result beyond doubt.
Referees called off the fight after a second knockdown and awarded victory to Harris, who raised in hands in triumph.
It was her second victory against her Kiwi opponent.
In lead up to Friday night, Harris described the fight as her ‘turning point’.
‘It is vital for me to make a statement,’ she told the Herald Sun.
Harris sparked a social media storm and became a target for online trolls after this photo of the Carlton AFLW star went viral in March
‘To have two Australian titles…that’s a pretty cool thing to be able to be proud of. My family and friends all supported me all the way. It would be great to do it in front of them.”
Harris latest accolade comes after a 3.3m-tall bronzed statue was recently unveiled in Melbourne’s Federation Square immortalising the 22-year-old Carlton star’s famous airborne kick, which triggered a social media storm and saw her become a target for online trolls in March.
The statue sparked outrage for many, who believed a statue wasn’t justified for a footballer who has played just 22 AFLW games and kicked 17 goals.
Janay Harding (left) was floored twice by Tayla Harris (right) in the fourth round
Tayla (right), pictured with fellow AFLW star Sarah Dargan returns to the AFL field next year
AFL great Malcolm Blight was among the harshest critics before Harris hit back at the backlash.
‘This statue represents #morethanakick, it symbolises a moment in time that can be remembered as a catalyst for change, a stand against online harassment and a reminder to women and girls that we deserve these opportunities,’ Harris tweeted at the time.
Docklands will eventually become the permanent home of the statue.
The 2020 AFLW season begins February 7.
An emotional Harris was embraced by supporters after claiming her second title in a month