Kayla Allen: From self-taught boxer to star prospect - 'It started in a unique way and it'll finish in a unique way'

Her rapid ascent since then has been astonishing. She made it all the way to the GB squad and has now become the first woman to sign with Zuffa Boxing. She will have her second fight on Sky Sports on November 7.

"Any fight I go into, whether it's the first debut, the second fight or a world title fight, everyone's getting dealt with the same," she told Sky Sports .

"It's always been exciting, it's never been boring. So for me it's not about being someone else, it's about being myself, and the best Kayla beats anybody on the night."

After originally pursuing ambitions in football, Allen started trying to box at home during the pandemic lockdown.

"I learned how to box in my back garden as an 18-year-old girl. I watched videos on YouTube, how to throw a jab, watched Mayweather, Mike Tyson, AJ, I just studied the sport and then went down to the local boxing gym, did a couple of white-collar fights and now we're here," Allen said.

"I've always believed in myself. Whenever I first started, no matter what I do I always go: 'I'm going to be the best at this'. So whatever that means I don't know, but that's just my mindset. No matter what I do I'm always the best at it and I'll be the best at boxing."

Her first amateur tournament was the Golden Girl, a large international competition in Sweden. She won it.

Allen performed well in the national championships and was soon on the GB squad, an astonishing ascent.

"Within six months I was on England and then within eight months I was on GB. That's work, credit to my coaches and credit to myself, and the GB system and the England system to allow me to get to where I needed to be. It's a blessing. I'm glad to be here and it's a good opportunity," she said.

It led her now to her breakthrough move into professional boxing, becoming Zuffa's first female signing.

"Where's the girls at? I'm here now, so let's go!" she said. "It helps other females coming through, that nothing's impossible."

She promises: "Explosive, knockouts, just explosive energy, I'm going to bring ferocity to the ring… When I step into that ring it's game on for me.

"It's creating my own legacy, one of one, and creating my own name for female boxing.

"It started in a unique way and it'll finish in a unique way as well. I do everything my own way."

Watch Chris Billam-Smith fight Cheavon Clarke in the main event on Zuffa Boxing 12, live on Sky Sports on November 7.