Dual-sporting champion Tayla Harris has revealed her plan to defeat the reigning Australian superweight champion – who once “belted” her during sparring.
The 26-year-old is looking to take the Australian super welterweight title from Millicent Agboegbulenon on Wednesday night, entering the ring undefeated after winning all nine of her professional boxing appearances.
Harris is set to write her name in the history books, headlining the first televised all-female Australian boxing card.
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The AFLW premiership winner made her boxing debut in 2017 and now holds the championship belts in both the Australian female middleweight and Australian super-welterweight divisions.
Harris unveiled her plans to work her way into contention for one of the super-welterweight divisions’ four major titles – currently held by two English women, Terry Harper and Natasha Jonas.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia on Monday, the Melbourne premiership-winner revealed she would refuse to finish opponents when the opportunity presented itself during the early stages of her professional career.
“I remember in the early days, there were opportunities (to finish opponents),” said Harris.
“My coach said ‘What’s going on?’
“I said ‘ah, she looked a bit scared, a bit sad …”
Harris told reporters that she is no longer scared to “pull the trigger” when opponents are hurt but “by nature, [would not] want to hurt anyone – let alone knock them out.”
“I actually had to consider if boxing was going to be the sport for me if I wasn’t willing to knock my opponents out,” said Harris.
“I had to look [coach Tai Tuiniua] in the eyes and say, ‘Yes, I am willing to do it’.
“And ever since we’ve had that conversation, I’ve caught the bug …”
The Demons star insists she is confident she can win her way into any title while still playing footy, but admits there is still plenty of progress to be made in her game plan.
If Harris is to defeat Agboegbulenon at Moore Park, Sydney on Wednesday, she will join the extensive list of successful fighting Australian footballers, which includes the likes of Anthony Mundine, Bill Lang, Sonny Bill Williams and Tony Madigan – who fought at three Olympic Games.
With only six weeks until the AFLW season launches, Harris was asked by reporters if she could still win the world boxing title while still kicking Sherrins to which she responded: “I can and I will.”
Harris revealed she dropped 10kg for a fight during the early stages of her professional career and has continued to play football at less than four kilos above the super welterweight class limit – 69.85kg.
“Right now I’m in the thick of footy pre-season and still able to fight Wednesday night,” Harris said.
“I’m able to execute a full fight camp and still not miss out on a single footy drill.
“And I’m confident I’ll be able to continue with that.”
Harris revealed that she was “belted” by her upcoming opponent during sparring in 2018, only months before Agboegbulen would go on to make the semi-finals at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
“I was still very raw and Milli, with her experience, gave me a lesson in boxing… [She] outclassed me,” Harris said.
“… She definitely has a significant advantage in terms of experience,” Harris added.
“And I have no doubt she’ll look to draw on that Wednesday night.
“I was lucky to have that spar against someone with her ability early on.
“You learn so much more when sharing the ring with someone who is more experienced than you, who is better than you.
“And at the time, it’s exactly what I needed. It was a valuable experience for me.”
Harris said she is expecting her rival will bring “everything she’s got” in the hope of retaining the title.
“She will come out with a lot of aggression, want to put pressure on me and want to test me, see how I react,” the dual-sporting champion said.
“And I know I will be disciplined enough to combat that.”
The premiership winner insisted that whilst she is not aiming to chase a finish, she is confident she will earn her fifth straight stoppage in her potential title win.
“I am planning to finish,” she said.
“You don’t get paid overtime in this sport and I don’t want my friends and family holding their breath for any longer than they need to.”
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