Anthony Taylor

Anthony Taylor (born 23 June 1989), known by the ring name Pretty Boy, is an American former boxer and mixed martial artist. He is best known for his time in Misfits Boxing and Bellator. He has an overall professional record in boxing of 7 wins and 8 losses bringing his total MMA and boxing statistics to 27 fights, 14 wins, and 13 losses.

Mixed martial arts career Taylor made his professional MMA debut in 2015 against Adin Duenas at Bellator 147 losing via rear naked choke following a rocky amateur career of 5 wins and 8 losses. Winning only one fight in four following his debut, he was subsequently dropped by Bellator and joined CFC (Cage Fighting Championships) in 2017. He won his first fight for the promotion via decision against Trey Branch. Losing twice again he joined BAMMA in 2018 where he fought twice, winning both bouts, before being resigned by Bellator where he faced and beat Chris Avila.

After a 5-year hiatus, Taylor was set to make his MMA return against Dillon Danis as the co-feature bout on the Misfits Mania – The Fight Before Christmas boxing card. The bout will take place on December 20, 2025, at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai, UAE for the MF MMA light heavyweight title. However, the bout was cancelled following Danis' withdrawal, after not being medically cleared due to his altercation at UFC 322.

Boxing career

Taylor vs. Fury Taylor retired from professional MMA in 2020 to pursue a move to professional boxing. Taylor return to the ring after to four years to face English boxer Tommy Fury (6–0) at the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on August 29, 2021. The bout took place on the Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley undercard in which Fury defeated Taylor via unanimous decision.

Taylor vs. Avila II Four months later, Taylor fought American mixed martial artist Chris Avila after obtaining two wins in Tijuana, Mexico. Taylor and Avila had previously fought before, the first time as an MMA bout at Bellator 238, in which Taylor won. The bout took place at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on the Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley II undercard on December 18, and saw Avila defeat Taylor via majority decision.

A year later, Taylor fought English musician Ashley Rak-Su from the Rak-Su boyband, on the MF & DAZN: X Series 002 undercard. The bout took place on October 15, 2022, at the Utilita Arena Sheffield in Sheffield, England. Taylor defeated Rak-Su via unanimous decision.

On December 6, 2022, Taylor's most challenging matchup was announced for MF & DAZN: X Series 004, being English boxer Idris Virgo (12–0–1). The bout took place on January 14, 2023, at Wembley Arena in London, England, in which Virgo defeated Taylor via unanimous decision.

Taylor vs. Papi On April 13, Taylor vs Filipino influencer Salt Papi was announced for MF & DAZN: X Series 007 for May 13 at Wembley Arena in London, England. Taylor defeated Papi via unanimous decision and was awarded Prime Fighter of the Night.

MFB light heavyweight championship

Cancelled outnumbered bout with KSI On June 8, 2024, KSI uploaded a YouTube video challenging both Taylor and American YouTuber Slim Albaher to a 2 vs. 1 outnumbered tag team match, after negotiations to face former unified light welterweight champion Amir Khan failed. Taylor accepted the challenge on Twitter. On June 30, the bout between KSI, Taylor, and Albaher was made official, and was set to take place as the headliner for MF & DAZN: X Series 17 at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. However, fans began to speculate if the bout had been cancelled following KSI deleting the bout announcement across his social media. On 1 August, KSI confirmed his withdrawal in a Twitter post due to an injury sustained.

Taylor vs. Ericsson Following the cancellation of Taylor's outnumbered match, his next bout was announced to be against South Korean former kickboxer Samuel Ericsson. Originally, Ericsson was set to face to face American influencer OJ Rose, but was cancelled after Rose was arrested. The bout took place on MF & DAZN: X Series 16 at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida. Taylor defeated Ericsson via technical knockout in the third round and retained his MFB title.

Taylor vs. Silva Taylor was then rebooked for MF & DAZN: X Series 17, but this time against Brazilian mixed martial artist Gabriel Silva, serving as the co-main event alongside the new headliner, Danny Aarons vs Danny Simpson. Originally, Taylor and Silva were set to fight each other on MF & DAZN: X Series 13, but was cancelled following Silva's withdrawal. Taylor defeated Silva via technical knockout and retained his MFB title.

Taylor vs. Till

On December 6, Taylor's next bout was announced to be against former UFC welterweight challenger Darren Till, following the withdrawal of Fury as Till's original opponent. The bout took place as the headliner for MF & DAZN: X Series 20 at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Till defeated Taylor via technical knockout in the sixth round.

Taylor vs. Goyat Following the cancellation of Taylor's MMA bout against Dillon Danis, Misfits announced on November 16 that Taylor would face Indian professional boxer Neeraj Goyat on the undercard of Misfits Mania – The Fight Before Christmas. This comes following Albaher's withdrawal from his bout with Goyat due to an injury. The bout took place on December 20 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai, UAE. In round 5 of the bout, Taylor began to complain that he could not see, and repeatedly hit the ground in frustration. The referee waved off the bout as a no contest, which resulted in Taylor charging towards Floyd. Taylor accused Floyd of using Tiger Balm, which resulted in the burning sensation in his eyes. Mams Taylor confirmed an investigation was underway with the commission. On 18 June, the World Combat Sports Federation notified Misfits that there was no foul play, thereby overturning the no contest to a disqualification victory to Floyd.

Taylor vs. AP the Fighter Following his defeat to Floyd, Taylor announced that his next bout will take place on Adin Ross's boxing promotion Brand Risk Promotions against influencer AP the Fighter. The bout took place on August 22 at the Brand Risk Warehouse in Miami, Florida. AP defeated Taylor via unanimous decision, and Taylor subsequently announced his retirement from boxing in his post-fight interview.

Personal life

Anthony Taylor grew up in Alameda, California. He graduated from Encinal High School. Before becoming a professional MMA fighter, Taylor made money as an Uber driver and male stripper. Prior to his professional boxing debut, Taylor was homeless.

Boxing record Professional

MF–Professional

Exhibition

Mixed martial arts record Win

Chris Avila Decision (majority) Bellator 238

Inglewood, California, United States Win

Brandon Faumui Decision (split) URCC: Rumble By The Bay

Daly City, California, United States Win

Ryan Reneau Decision (unanimous) Combate 36

Stockton, California, United States Win

Mike Hales Decision (unanimous) BAMMA Fight Night: London

London, England Win

Dean Barry Submission (rear-naked choke) BAMMA 35

Dublin, Ireland Loss

Adrian Guzman Submission (rear-naked choke) CFC 2: Champions Will Be Crowned

Sonora, California, United States Loss

Brian del Rosario TKO (punches) Celtic Gladiator 17

Burbank, California, United States Win

Trey Branch Decision (unanimous) CFC 1: King of the Mountain

Sonora, California, United States Loss

Ádám Borics Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 177

Budapest, Hungary Loss

James Gallagher Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 169

Dublin, Ireland Win

Victor Jones KO (punches) Bellator 154

San Jose, California, United States Loss

Adin Duenas Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 147

San Jose, California, United States