Christopher wins - now for bigger tests

Mike Tyler Christopher after Sunday’s victory over Jensen Irving

MIKE Tyler Christopher was critical of his performance in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s points win over Jensen Irving.

The Birmingham based Bermudian is being a little harsh on himself.

He bossed the four rounder at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn, caused damage to the Swindon switch-hitter’s left eye and ran-out a clear 40-37 victor.

Irving may have lost more than he’s won, but the 35-year-old is no mug.

That’s 11 straight wins for Christopher and bigger things must now beckon.

Perhaps he became too pre-occupied with single shots and the timing was not as sharp as it has been. Maybe the combinations lacked their usual smoothness.

That’s understandable. Southpaw Christopher (11st 9lbs) was having his first fight in nine months and ring-rust needed to be shed.

The pair engaged in “verbals” throughout the contest, prompting referee Pete McCormack to tell them to stop talking.

Twice Christopher shouted “good shot” after an Irving success. In the third, a Christopher fan shouted, “put it on him, Mike”, prompting Irving to respond with, “he is”.

Christopher touched with jabs in the first, then looked to unload heavy ammo.

They exchanged leads in the second before Christopher opened up with wide punches. One heavy right to the body certainly registered.

Irving (11st 6lbs), his eye swollen, got through with a right in the third, prompting Christopher to let fly with both hands.

And Mike continued to select single power shots in the last, taking a left, but burying a right to the body.

He was a worthy winner who can expect to face much stiffer opposition in 2026.