Celebrated Brooklyn amateur Pryce Taylor marked his professional boxing debut with a resounding victory this past Friday evening, overpowering Mike Diorio in the very first round. This impressive win took place on the undercard of a Prime Time Promotions event held at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York.
Taylor, standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 265 pounds, has had a distinguished career as a U.S. amateur boxer. His achievements include winning two New York Golden Gloves Champion titles and securing four runner-up spots in the USA National Championships. Notably, one of these runner-up finishes was to Joshua Edwards, who has recently qualified as a super heavyweight for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the fight, Taylor showcased his formidable strength, dropping Diorio twice with devastating body shots. This onslaught led Diorio’s corner to concede defeat by throwing in the towel at the 2:40 mark of the first round.
Post-fight, Taylor shared his exhilaration, “It was the best feeling in the world to have the whole place filled with my supporters. I was able to show off my boxing skills in front of everyone.”
Looking ahead, Taylor’s manager, New York City-based lawyer Keith Sullivan, has already planned Taylor’s second professional fight. This upcoming bout is against Christopher Arnold (5-3, 5 KOs) in a four-round contest. This fight is scheduled for December 16th and will be part of an event promoted by Boxing Insider Promotions at Sony Hall in New York City’s Times Square.
Reflecting on Taylor’s debut, Sullivan expressed his satisfaction with the boxer’s performance. “Pryce had a great debut win. He smartly focused on technique rather than just power and was mindful of conserving energy, staying composed throughout. He really remained focused before and during the fight. I’m very proud of how he handled himself.”
Sullivan also highlighted the significance of securing a first professional win, acknowledging the challenging transition from amateur to professional boxing. “As an amateur, Pryce was ranked as the sixth-best heavyweight in America and was in the top 10 percent globally. His skill and ambition are unmistakable. He’s still evolving, but our plan is to guide his career to the peak of the division in due time.”
Taylor’s successful debut is a promising start to what could be a stellar professional boxing career, showing potential for significant achievements in the heavyweight division.