Tyler: true Cinderella man of local boxing
Tyler Denny is crowned Euro champ. Picture: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer
THE game has lost a true craftsman with the retirement of Tyler Denny, one of the nicest blokes in the business.
Fittingly, the 35-year-old southpaw bowed out at the top, hanging up his gloves after being outpointed by unbeaten Irish hope Callum Walsh in a Dublin 10 rounder that saw both hit the deck.
He will be remembered as Midlands boxing’s true Cinderella man, rising from small hall obscurity to gain Midlands, English and European middleweight honours. At his best, Tyler, from Rowley Regis, was a hard night’s work for the very best.
And he earned well from his 29 bout, 11 year career with BCB Promotions. The rumoured purse for his losing battle with world class Hamzah Sheeraz, in particular, was staggering.
Denny’s rise is a study in persistence, a lesson in the grit needed to overcome bad breaks. He drew two of his first five and appeared to have found his level after being gashed to defeat in eight by Reece Cartwright for the English title.
Linus Odofia beat him on a wafer thin majority decision for the same belt and, in 2021, a third crack at the English ended in frustration. Denny seemed poised for victory over River Wilson-Bent before a cut over the Coventry boxer’s left eye led to the bout being declared a technical draw.
That was the last blip for the Black Country boxer. He finally gained the elusive title by outpointing River, then pieced together a run that saw the odds against him defied time and time again.
During a glittering 2023, unbeaten, red hot prospects Bradley Rea and Brad Pauls were beaten away from home. On a magical Wolverhampton night Matteo Signani was halted for the European title. Felix Cash, a pre-bout favourite, was bossed, bullied and bust-up in five.
Sheeraz ended the dream in two rounds, yet Denny would have one more major title fight, losing on points in March to George Liddard with the Lonsdale Belt on the line.
In a statement, BCB said: “There are so many highlights, stopping Matteo Signani at a packed out Wolverhampton Civic Hall, defending his title in spectacular fashion against Felix Cash at the NEC and an incredible run of beating the previously undefeated River Wilson-Bent, Brad Rea and Brad Paul's.
“Training at the BCB gym in Wednesbury, the dedicated and highly motivated fighter has been an ever-present figure, always in shape and ready to take on whatever challenge his coach and manager Errol Johnson put to him.
“Congratulations Tyler on a fantastic career from everyone at BCB Promotions and good luck with your future endeavours.”
The British Boxing Board of Control’s Midlands council posted: “We would like to wish Tyler Denny all the best in his retirement. Congratulations on an amazing career winning honours from Area to European Championship.”