Star Power: Tiah-Mai Ayton Stops Ellie Hellewell in London
Tiah-Mai Ayton gave another little demonstration of her potential when she stopped Ellie Hellewell at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday night. Ayton impressively moved to 7-0 when the Hellewell corner sensibly pulled their fighter out after six completed rounds. The victory earned the 20-year-old the Commonwealth featherweight title. Many more titles will surely follow.
Hellewell (8-2-1) is a decent enough fighter in her own right, but that old phrase of levels was very much in play. The 26-year-old had pockets of fleeting success, but there was a touch of inevitability about the outcome of the fight.
The Doncaster fighter was hard to catch clean in the opening four rounds, and landed a few decent counters of her own. If you want to be super critical of Ayton, a few defensive flaws need to be ironed out going forward. But the Bristol fighter was a class above her game opponent.
Ayton quickly got into range. Hellewell wasn’t allowed to get her offence going. Ayton was suffocating like in her forward pressure. But it was done with patience. Ayton undoubtedly knew she would eventually force the stoppage.
Hellewell started to unravel in the fifth round. Pinned on the ropes, a stunning straight right hand from Ayton rocked her head back. Ayton started to unload, and the Hellewell corner warned her they would pull her out if she didn’t show more.
But Ayton was in no mood to let her off the hook. The sixth round was more of the same. Hellewell was catching more and more clean shots, and when she was pulled out at the end of the round, the decision came as no surprise.
Ayton fights as though she is just cruising. She doesn’t rush her work. Even after just seven professional fights, her ceiling seems unlimited. Post-fight, Eddie Hearn mentioned a British title fight; Karriss Artingstall is currently in possession of the Lonsdale belt at featherweight. With Artingstall being out of action since March of last year, the former Olympian might appreciate a fight of any kind. It’s a good fight, whether it’s next, time will tell. Hearn also mentioned a possible world title opportunity in 2027. On the evidence of what we have seen so far, it looks like a case of when, not if, Tiah-Mai Ayton will become a world champion.
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Published by FightPost: MMA & Boxing News
Published
22nd Aug 2026