Boxing: Taylor aims for explosive win

An impressive victory over Daniel Maxwell could help propel Anthony 'TNT' Taylor in to an Oceania championship bout next year. Photo / Getty Images

‘TNT’ Taylor one fight from the welterweight title

Anthony 'TNT' Taylor will fight for the New Zealand Professional Welterweight title at the inaugural Phil's Place Clash of the Corporates on October 11.

Taylor, who has fashioned a 7-1-1 record as a professional, has power in both hands and should keep the expected sell-out of the Memorial Hall at the QE2 Youth Centre.

An experienced journeyman in Daniel Maxwell will stand in the way of Taylor's quest to win the national welterweight crown.

While the Tauranga Boxing Club boxer has defeated Maxwell in two previous fights by way of unanimous points decisions, he is dead set on taking the title fight decision out of the hands of the judges with a stoppage victory in front of his home town fans.

Coach Chris Walker believes Taylor is well-placed in every respect.

"Ants will be primed up for action in front of a large contingent of family and friends and will want to ensure the bout doesn't go the full distance," he said.

"Maxwell is tough and durable and always comes ready to fight.

"We are just looking at one fight at a time, however, an Oceania championship bout could be on the horizon next year if he wins convincingly in the Maxwell match-up".

Boxing critics on both sides of the Tasman sat up and took notice of the Tauranga pugilist when he fought on the undercard of the Shane Cameron and Danny Green world title contest a couple of years ago. Facing Australian Brendan Ogilvie, who now has an 8-1 record, the Western Bay boxer was desperately unlucky to finish on the wrong end of a split decision.

The participants in the 15 corporate fights on the card are undergoing their final preparations. Only a limited number of ringside corporate tables and general admission tickets remain.