Super-middleweight prospect Taylor Bevan believes his stoppage of Emmett Brennan was the best performance of his young professional career — but insists there is much more to come.
Taylor Bevan left Croke Park with another knockout on his record and, perhaps more importantly, left a serious claim to be one of the best prospects in British boxing.
Bevan stopped previously unbeaten Dublin fighter Emmett Brennan on the historic September 5 card in the Irish capital, improving his professional record to 10-0 (9 KOs) in the process.
For Bevan, however, the significance of the night extended well beyond another victory.
The Southampton fighter was part of a historic occasion, sharing the Croke Park stage with Katie Taylor as the undisputed Irish icon brought her remarkable career to a close in front of a raucous home crowd.
It was an atmosphere Bevan had never experienced before, and one which left a lasting impression on the 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist.
“It was an incredible experience to witness Katie Taylor’s final fight,” Bevan said. “She has had a tremendous impact on the sport and especially on women’s boxing.”
For a fighter still in the early stages of his professional journey, being involved in such an occasion provided a unique experience. Bevan had already appeared on several major cards since turning professional in November 2024, but Croke Park represented another level entirely.
He admits he did not get the opportunity to see much of Dublin itself, but what he did experience left a positive impression.
He found a city with an obvious passion for sport, while the significance of Croke Park was impossible to miss.
“I learnt a bit about Croke Park and definitely felt the importance that it has to the people of Ireland,” he explained.
But it was the noise inside the stadium which really stood out.
“The atmosphere inside of the stadium was the best I’d ever experienced and this was down to the love that people have for Katie Taylor.”
A career-best performance
Bevan’s own contribution to the evening was equally impressive.
Brennan entered the contest unbeaten and represented a genuine test for the Matchroom prospect, but Bevan produced a controlled and destructive display before bringing the contest to a premature conclusion.
From the outside, it was difficult to find fault with the performance.
Bevan, though, remains his own harshest critic.
“I’m normally quite self-critical of my boxing but I think that was my best performance to date against a good opponent,” he said.
The 10-0 prospect was happy with his work, but refused to describe it as perfect — an attitude which perhaps says as much about his ambitions as the nine knockouts on his record.
“It was a very good performance but I wouldn’t say it was punch perfect,” Bevan admitted. “I still have things I can improve on and this is a good thing as I’m still a long way off the best I can be.”
That mindset will be welcomed by those around him.
Bevan has made an extremely fast start since entering the paid ranks, combining activity with increasingly high-profile opposition and exposure. His development is being overseen by an experienced team, with manager Brian Peters working alongside Matchroom and trainers Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis.
For Bevan, having that structure around him allows him to concentrate on what happens between the ropes.
“I believe I couldn’t have a better team of people around me,” he said.
The confidence he has in his team is clear. More importantly, Bevan believes the people guiding his career are not simply concerned with short-term results.
“I think they are the best at what they do but are also good people and have my best interests in mind. They are people that I trust.”
That leaves Bevan with a straightforward responsibility.
“All I have to do is go in there and do my job. And that’s to put on a good performance and execute the things I’ve been working on with my team in camp.”
No rush towards titles
With ten professional victories already on the board and nine coming inside the distance, attention will inevitably turn towards what comes next.
Bevan has been kept exceptionally busy since making his debut and has already accumulated valuable experience on major events.
The next stage of his development could see him move towards titles and increasingly recognisable names at super-middleweight, but the former top amateur is not putting unnecessary pressure on himself to define his route just yet.
“I have been very busy since I made my debut in November 2024,” he said.
“I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to box on so many amazing shows and to be fighting so frequently.”
After such a demanding period, Bevan intends to take a short step back before deciding on the next move.
“I’m going to use this time now to have a bit of a reset, speak to my team and see what the plan moving forward is.”
There is no shortage of potential directions.
At 10-0 with nine stoppages, Bevan’s record is beginning to attract attention, while his Matchroom backing gives him a platform capable of accelerating his development when the time is right.
Yet the Welshman is content to trust the people around him rather than dictate a rigid timetable.
“I’m not sure the path that I will take in terms of titles,” he admitted.
“But I believe I’m managed by the best in Brian and his team so I have full faith that he will guide my career correctly.”
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
Perhaps the most telling comment from Bevan came when reflecting on the fighter whose final night at Croke Park he had the privilege of witnessing.
Taylor’s influence on boxing in Ireland and beyond is immeasurable, particularly in the growth of women’s boxing, but her impact clearly extends to fighters from the next generation as well.
Bevan openly admits that she is someone he looks up to.
“Katie is someone that I aspire to be like,” he said.
That is some endorsement from a fighter whose own professional career is only just beginning.
Bevan has already enjoyed the sort of opportunities many prospects spend years waiting for. He has the backing of Matchroom, a respected team around him, an unbeaten record and, with nine stoppages from ten victories, the kind of punch power that can turn a prospect into a genuine attraction.
The Brennan victory only strengthened that perception.
But perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Bevan’s development is that he does not appear satisfied with what he has achieved so far.
He believes the Dublin performance was his best yet, but simultaneously insists he is nowhere near his ceiling.
For now, though, Bevan can look back on a memorable night in Dublin knowing he played his part on one of the biggest occasions in Irish boxing history.
He arrived at Croke Park as an unbeaten prospect.
He left 10-0 (9 KOs), with another impressive stoppage on his record and his reputation continuing to grow.
And if Bevan is right that he is still “a long way off the best” version of himself, the super-middleweight division better start taking notice.
IRISH BOXING DIGEST 
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