Rising AFL star Tayla Harris laces up the gloves for second professional boxing bout

BRISBANE’S rising AFL star Tayla Harris will try to kick on in her other career as a boxer on Saturday night when she has her second professional fight.

Tayla Harris training at Corporate Box Gym. Picture: Liam Kidston

BRISBANE’S rising AFL star Tayla Harris will try to kick on in her other career as a boxer on Saturday night when she has her second professional fight at the Eatons Hill Hotel.

The 20-year-old Carlton forward won her boxing debut in June at the same venue, near where she grew up on Brisbane’s north side, and on Saturday night is set to tackle New Zealand 75kg prospect Tessa Tualevao.

Tayla Harris training at Corporate Box Gym. Picture: Liam Kidston

Also on Saturday night, Brisbane’s April Adams faces Sydney’s Carol Earl for the Australian women’s bantamweight title.

And in a battle of undefeated rising stars Liam Paro, the 63kg sensation from Mackay, faces undefeated Jose Aubel of Argentina.

Harris took up boxing two years ago to improve her fitness for Aussie rules and says it has worked wonders.

Tayla Harris marks during the AFL Women's State of Origin match.

“Boxing training is definitely the toughest sports training you can get,’’ she said.

“And the footwork you need to be a boxer has definitely improved my footwork on the footy field.’’

Harris is trained by Australian men’s super-middleweight champ Faris Chevalier, who faces the toughest fight of his career at the Brisbane Convention Centre on October 14 against Sam Banney, who has spent the last decade sparring with Jeff Horn and was rated Australia’s top amateur boxer in 2013.

Originally published as Rising AFL star Tayla Harris laces up the gloves for second professional boxing bout