Tyler bags bout on a major TV arena bill

Tyler Christopher…faces Mauro Silva in battle of unbeatens

TYLER Christopher – the Birmingham based Bermudian with a style as smooth as silk – has the big arena fight he’s been near begging for.

On Boxxer’s August 8 First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds, show, the southpaw will face Mauro Silva in an eight round battle of unbeatens. The bill is topped by the mouthwatering rematch between Troy Williamson and Callum Simpson.

Christopher, who fights out of the D&A gym, has been banging the drum for a slot on a major TV show for some time. The light-middleweight is unbeaten in 12, but yet to be truly tested. He did, however, twice drop Jordan Grannum – the most accomplished journeyman in the business – on the way to a points win. Not many floor Grannum and that performance suggests underrated firepower.

Middleweight Silva is a step-up for the 29-year-old and the bout will tell us a lot more about Tyler’s potential.

Manager Jon Pegg agrees. He said: “How good is Tyler? We’ll find out on August 8. Silva’s a good kid- you don’t go 9-0 without being a good kid, he’s strong and quite aggressive, but he’s not unbeatable. And Tyler’s a good kid, too.

“If it turns into a fight, Silva has the edge. If it turns into a boxing match, Tyler has the edge.”

Silva, from Portugal but based in Manchester, is also yet to face a real test, although he appears to have the edge in power with four stoppages.

Christopher was a good amateur, part of Bermuda’s national team and an Olympic trialist. He arrived in Birmingham in 2021 to pursue a pro career. He has kept strong links with the paradise island and is sponsored by companies over there. It’s hoped he’ll box on a Bermuda pro show in the future.

Of the Silva clash, Tyler said: “I almost got matched with (Slough’s 9-0) Hassan Azim, but that fell through. Silva’s a good boxer who hasn’t done much in boxing beside beat who’s been put in front of him, as goes for me - I’ve done the same.

“He hasn’t been some spectacular amateur, he’s just gotten around some notable boxing names and picked up knowledge. I’m geared up and ready for this fight. I’m a super-welterweight (light-middle in old money), but this fight’s at middleweight. I don’t mind. Less weight I have to shed.

“It’ll be a great fight between two good boxers.”