After hiding his talent, heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor wants to show his full potential

Pryce Taylor has been gatekeeping his talent from his peers while defeating gatekeepers. 

Taylor returns Sunday against James Evans of Toledo, Ohio, on the undercard of the Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn rematch at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Taylor, 10-0 (6 KOs), defeated Michael Polite-Coffie in December; before that he won another eight-round unanimous decision over Robert Simms. Taylor, a 29-year-old from Brooklyn, New York, learned from facing the veterans, as he looks to find his way as a professional this year. 

“There is no gatekeeper who can hold me back,” Taylor told BoxingScene. “Those types of fighters are not on my level.”

Ironically, Taylor has been hiding some of his talents in his previous performances. Taylor believes that if he had shown the full extent of his talents in prior fights, he wouldn’t get opportunities and would be avoided.

“In this fight, I am going to show my actual skill,” Taylor said. “I have been trying to gatekeep my skill level.” 

Evans, 9-2-1 (7 KOs), is someone Taylor knows well from the amateurs. Evans enters on a two-fight win streak since being stopped by Dainier Pero.

“I have to show that I can stop opponents who are not on my level,” Taylor said. “I was trying to cruise by and beat people with my skill level without giving up too much.”

Against the 33-year-old Evans, Taylor is now going to lay it on the line, as Evans’ two losses are via stoppage to undefeated prospects. Taylor explained his modus operandi in his development.

“Most boxers are not brave,” Taylor said. “I am going to be the boogeyman of the division.”

Taylor, who ambitiously hopes he could fight seven times this year, if possible, believes this year, he will establish himself as a promising heavyweight up-and-comer. 

“I already knew I was a great fighter,” Taylor said. “Nobody can beat me, except for me.”