FIGHTING for the English middleweight title in Coventry proved to be a turning level in Tyler Denny’s profession.
His third try at profitable the belt led to a technical draw in opposition to River Wilson-Bent after the battle was stopped on a lower to Bent’s left eye. The harm was deemed to have been attributable to a conflict of heads, which Denny vehemently disagreed with.
Scorecards of 68-65 (Bent), 66-67 and 67-67 left Denny with bitter disappointment, which he didn’t conceal within the ring afterwards.
“I believe that was in all probability the bottom level in my profession,” Denny recalled when he spoke to Boxing Information.
“Me and River get on now, however he was giving a whole lot of speak within the build-up. I felt like I received stitched up in that battle. That damage, actually. Not solely that, I needed to wait till June (2022) for the rematch. That was an extended interval. If I might have fought for example the subsequent month, I do know that’s not doable, however you get it out your system.
“Seven months is a very long time to carry on to, like a little bit of a grudge and the way a lot you wish to beat this man. On the identical time, all of it labored out nicely as a result of the primary battle was with Mick Hennessy and Channel 5. The rematch ended up being on Boxxer and Sky. And I’ve been with them ever since.
“If that had by no means occurred, say if I might have gotten the win, then I may need by no means fought on Boxxer and I wouldn’t be the place I’m in the present day. That’s the one means I take a look at it now and it makes me barely happier.”
Denny couldn’t be any happier than he’s lately as a result of his profession has rocketed to ranges he couldn’t have predicted since working with Boxxer. Since beating Bent within the rematch and eventually changing into English middleweight champion, Denny has gained 5 consecutive fights. The most important of all got here in June when in his first European title defence he defeated Felix Money after the battle was stopped on a lower however this time the scorecards rightly favoured the champion.
Now, the 33-year-old southpaw takes to the largest boxing stage of 2024 at Wembley Stadium when he places his belt on the road in opposition to Hamzah Sheeraz who’s an extended odds-on (1/10) favorite to beat Denny the 6/1 underdog.
“I do know I wasn’t the primary selection,” Denny commented. “Possibly he [Sheeraz] was going to battle Eubank or for a world title and even Felix Money. However I beat that man and never many individuals give me an opportunity.
“I come into this battle as a European champion. So, you realize, I’m there for it. I’m stuffed with confidence from the coaching that I do and from the those who I’ve beat. I’ve beat good names. I’ve beat individuals simply nearly as good as he’s beat. That’s what I imagine.”
Denny will concede 4 inches in peak to Sheeraz and whereas the challenger’s bodily attributes are seen as a major benefit they’re performed down by the champion.
“For those who take a look at him size-wise and stood him subsequent to Brad Rea (who Denny beat in 2022), they’d in all probability be very comparable. You don’t get a terrific fighter since you’re tall and that kind of factor.
“I’m certain he’s totally different and stuff. However we’ve been sparring the likes of Ben Whittaker. I’ve had a whole lot of good sparring within the camp.”
“I really feel like I’m prepared,” he continued.
“If I’m not prepared now, I’ll by no means be. I’m coming off win, stuffed with confidence.
“I’ve not ballooned up in weight as a result of it’s actually the day after [beating Cash] they’ve advised me in regards to the battle. If something, I in all probability needed to relax for a few weeks earlier than I went again to coaching correctly as a result of it was a bit too quickly to go straight into a large camp once more. However actually, with out being overconfident, I’m actually assured in my skills to win this battle.
“I can’t see the rest however myself profitable. I do know he’s a prime fighter and I give him a lot respect. He’s ranked primary on the planet with WBC and WBO and prime 5 with the IBF. Once I beat Hamza, I’ll get the credit score then.”
Denny’s days as a plumber are lengthy gone however he doesn’t neglect them or the individuals he labored with or who helped him out in instances of want. And the Wordsley-born fighter shared a narrative with BN that acts as motivation for him to make sure he doesn’t return to the commerce.
“Three years in the past I began working with this man and a month in the past he texted me saying, ‘I’ve simply despatched you £200 quid.’ And I rang him and mentioned, ‘What’s that for?’
“Once we had been doing the plumbing within the bogs, the outdated copper pipe we’d rip out and put it aside in a tat bag. He mentioned, I received £400 for this tat and I forgot it was half yours.
“That was a pleasant factor to do. However I keep in touch with them. They arrive to my fights nonetheless.
“It’s a reminder for me. You realize, some days you don’t wish to rise up for some time and stuff. I believe, nicely, I’ll rise up, man, as a result of it’s higher than altering that rest room if I don’t.”
