Omarah: It’s my time to make a statement
Omarah Taylor…fights for Commonwealth belt. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB
FOR Omarah Taylor, the road to glory has been long and winding, the hurdles higher than expected.
Unlike other former GB amateurs, she has had to pick her way through a pothole pitted professional path without the guidance of a big time TV promoter.
Meaningful opportunities have been hard to find, her journey slowed by the necessity of a daytime job. It’s been just two fights a year – a mere five in total – for the Great Barr welter. She’s won them all, two by stoppage.
On Saturday, on BCB’s major Aldersley Stadium, Wolverhampton, show, Omarah at last gets her chance. She’ll face County Durham’s Kerry Haley for the vacant Commonwealth title.
BCB boss Errol Johnson should be praised for presenting Omarah with the opportunity on home turf.
The 32-year-old security officer, trained by Joby Clayton, intends to seize the moment with both hands.
“I believe it’s my time,” she said. “On Saturday, I’m going to put on a show worthy of a champion, worthy of the backing of a major promoter. Whatever she’s got on the night, I’m going to match it and do better. I always respect opponents, but I think I’ll be better on every level. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, I’m really in a good place. The camp’s gone great, we couldn’t have asked for a better camp. I think the time is now.
“She’s a come-forward fighter, I want to put on a clinical performance. I feel this is my moment and the years of my career have taken me to this point. I didn’t intend to have two fights a year, but each opponent was picked to lead me to this title fight. I had opponents with different styles, I was getting a feel for the rounds.”
Omarah powers to another win. Now for the big one on home turf
Omarah, who holds a degree in animation and computer graphics, has an unconventional boxing back story.
“I went to Hamstead Hall, it was a very multi-cultural school,” she said, “and I think those years shaped me. I just wanted to play sport, my true passion is to play sport. I’d always excelled in school and my life after uni led me to a boxing gym.”
It began when she answered an advert for UK Sports’ “Discover Your Gold” campaign following the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The initiative, designed to identify untapped sporting talent, had a woman’s boxing category. Taylor managed to beat thousands of applicants, landing a place on the prestigious GB boxing squad. It was the start of a top amateur career which saw her reach the final of the national championships.
“I felt I had to prove myself as an amateur because I didn’t join GB as a national champion,” Omarah explained. “When I turned over as a pro, I didn’t follow the same pathway as other GB fighters. It’s difficult because of other commitments like career and family, that’s why it’s been difficult to get my career going.”
She’s never contemplated quitting, however: “There’s no love in boxing but, for some reason, the fighters keep coming back – there’s just something about it.”
In 2025, Omarah received the “female prospect of the year” honour at the Midlands boxing awards. It should’ve been a proud, happy moment, yet the dazzle was dimmed by the darkness of career crisis: Taylor’s hopes were slipping away. “I felt my career was going by the wayside, I walked in that room not in a great place.
“When I turned over, I thought I’d be going on that pathway, but I realised I had to do things myself. I had to go to work, I connected with a guy called Tony Clarke who’s doing amazing things for the community. I told him I wanted to be around more people – being an athlete can be lonely – and share the amazing energy he’s got.
“He took me on at his TCFIT community gym in Oldbury, running boxing classes. To see my group come on, to see people you would never think would box, smiling and having a good time…they’ve been such a great help in my career.”
On Saturday, they’ll be cheering Omarah on. The local hope will start favourite against 38-year-old Haley who has lost two of seven. She is, however, riding a three bout winning streak.
But this 10-rounder , Omarah stressed, is a springboard. If she wins, much bigger bouts beckon. “There are girls coming up at my level at welter and I think we can make a fight for the British title,” she said. “Then why not the European? I’m all for collecting titles, but it’s more about getting the backing behind me.”
Omarah praised trainer Clayton, adding: “The journey we’ve been on together…I really want to win a world title, not for the world title, but for the journey we’ve been on – that’s what life’s about. In 10 years I’ll look back and be gutted because I can’t have that time again.”
On Saturday, the journey takes a new and welcome twist.
*Omarah wishes to thank sponsors CM Electrical Midlands, Altair Group, The Junction, Active Tunnelling, Amulet Security.