Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Sideline Sid was delighted to see SunLive share the success of local professional boxer Jonathan Taylor on Sunday morning.

Taylor, who few gave any chance of lifting the NZPBA Super Middleweight crown from Jordan Tai, at the Big Bash Six, scored a stunning upset on Saturday night.

Tai comes from big family who have excelled at martial arts and boxing.

Tai went into Saturday's title fight as the reigning New Zealand Super Middleweight champion, after knocking out former Commonwealth Games representative Joe Blackbourne on the Joseph Parker verses Carlos Takam undercard.

Tai's reputation counted for little, with Taylor putting him on the canvas in the opening seconds of the 12 round championship contest.

While Tai worked his way back into the fight, he was counted out in the seventh round, to give Taylor the New Zealand title, along with the vacant IBO Oriental crown that was also on the line.

Jonathon Taylor's first professional title is testament to Tauranga boxing coach Chris Walker, who has a lifetime of experience in the fight game.

I have been supporter of the team at the Tauranga Boxing Club ever since Chris established the club in the old soccer rooms at the Wharepai Domain in 2001.

From humble beginnings at the Wharepai Domain, have come six New Zealand Amateur titles and two Oceania crowns.

In recent years, he has made his mark as professional boxing coach.

Gunnar Jackson was among the first to walk through the doors of the newly established Tauranga Boxing Club 15 years ago.

A distinguished amateur career was just the entree to the success that Jackson has experienced in the professional ranks.

Two NZPBA crowns won and defended and PABA and WBO Oriental titles, tell a little about Gunnar's success in the squared ring.

He has twice fought on the world stage.

A late call-up to fight multiple world champion Anthony Mundine in Brisbane, earned the Tauranga pugilist plenty of accolades.

Gunnar "The Stunna" Jackson has also fought in the fight capital of the world in Las Vegas, where he was matched with 2012 Olympic champion Ryota Murota.

While Gunnar dropped both decisions to the two highly regarded opponents, he fought with courage against world class opponents and continued his record of never being on the canvas in the pro ranks.

A third member of the Walker boxing team has an almost faultless record in the professional ranks.

Anthony "TNT" Taylor has dropped just one decision to a world ranked fighter in his 15 fight career.

With dynamite in both hands, Taylor has ended most of his bouts the short way with the referee topping the contest.

A World Boxing Union international title has propelled the Tauranga boxer to big stage, with overseas promoters looking to the place the kiwi on their cards.

While the trio of Tauranga boxers has been in the limelight, Chris Walker has been the architect of their success.

Walker can be a hard taskmaster but he knows that the key to success in the ring is fitness, strong technique and a well executed game plan in combat in the ring.

Several evenings a week, all the Tauranga Boxing Club fighters go through their paces at the gym at TGA Box Health and Fitness at the bottom of Waihi Road.

The words on the back of the original club T Shirt, sum up the clubs philosophy of "Be Your Best".