‘She’s back!’: Tayla Harris drops opponent in impressive boxing return
AFLW star Tayla Harris has made a thunderous return to boxing, watched on by Melbourne Demons teammates and her partner.
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Tayla Harris has wiped out her opponent in a thunderous return to boxing.
The Melbourne Demons player took home the Australasian junior middleweight championship belt after knocking her opponent Connie Chan down in their Saturday night rumble in Melbourne.
The referee had to put a stop to the contest after Chan appeared stunned on her feet following a series of right hooks by the AFLW star.
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It was a dream boxing comeback for Harris after four years away from the ring.
Her Melbourne Demons teammates, including Melbourne champion Daisy Pearce, were there to celebrate with Harris after the TKO victory.
Harris’ partner, Essendon AFLW player Kodi Jacques, was among the first people to charge into the ring to congratulate Harris after the referee called the fight off.
The 26-year-old extended her undefeated streak inside the ring with her record now standing at eight wins and one draw from nine fights.
Harris’ Melbourne teammates were seen lifting her up during the wild celebrations.
Team Ellis Boxing welcomed the news of Harris’ win with a Facebook post with a photo that showed Harris holding two belts — one over each shoulder.
The gym wrote: “She’s back!”
Harris has been on a dream run after also breaking through for her first AFLW premiership in November.
She said in the days leading up to the fight she is in a happy place — after enduring disgusting cyber abuse in previous years.
Harris remains one of the AFLW’s most recognisable faces, gaining widespread attention following the 2019 furore around a photo of her in full flight performing a drop punt, which attracted “inappropriate and offensive” trolling.
The now iconic image elevated Harris into the public consciousness and was celebrated with a bronze statue at Federation Square — which has since been moved to a location outside Marvel Stadium.
A film crew had followed her for 12 months to capture life behind the scenes, with her story immortalised in Amazon Prime documentary Kick Like Tayla, released last year.
Harris was traded to Melbourne at the end of 2021 after a messy exit from Carlton amid rumours she wasn’t fully committed to her footy at the Blues.
She proved those rumours wrong by starring in the Demons’ premiership season.
It is her boxing career where she is aiming highest.
The ABC reports Harris hopes to win a world title.
“Absolutely, I dare to dream and that’s something I’m aiming towards,” Harris said.
“I don’t know exactly when but if the opportunity presents itself, I’m taking it with both hands.”
Originally published as ‘She’s back!’: Tayla Harris drops opponent in impressive boxing return
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