Bermudian Tyler has sights set on TV bill

Tyler Christopher with Sam Eggington at the Eastside gym

TYLER Christopher, the Bermudian who came to Birmingham in search of ring glory, is a fighter hungry for TV exposure.

Next Saturday, October 21, the 27-year-old returns to ring action after a six month break on Tommy Owens’ “Give No Quarter” bill at Edgbaston’s H Suite.

Facing Christopher, now unbeaten in seven, will be Connor Meanwell, known to Birmingham fans for his participation in February’s Top Boxer welterweight tournament. “I have the skills to beat him,” said Christopher, “I should come out on top. He’s outpointed journeymen, I’ve blown journeymen out of the water.”

Meanwell, from Newark, was outpointed in the Top Boxer quarter-finals by Brett Egan – his only loss in three.

Tall light-middle Christopher has been sparring Sam Eggington in preparation for the scheduled six rounder.

“I thank Jon Pegg for arranging it,” he said. “I did six rounds yesterday (Wednesday) and six rounds last week. It’s been great experience. Sam’s a veteran in the game and that gave me so much confidence for my next fight.”

Christopher arrived in Birmingham four years ago. Both his reputation and following are growing.

He wants titles and high-profile bouts and believes both can be captured at welter, with day-before weigh-ins.

I’m not sure. At light-middle, Christopher looks a lean operator with little excess baggage to shift.

“I want a title shot,” he told me. “If it comes, it comes, but I really want to be on TV. I have to stay ready in case I get the call. I want to be ready when it comes.”

He was last seen in action overwhelming Justin Menzie on April 22 and returned to Bermuda for three weeks after that contest. Not surprisingly, diet went out of the window during the break.

“I had to lose a bit of weight,” he admitted. “It’s taken two or three months, but now I’m fighting fit.”

There’s a natural dream future fight in his homeland with Andre Lambe, 9-0 and currently grabbing all the headlines in Bermuda, but Christopher’s in no rush to return.

“He was my stablemate,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to fight him, we’re both trying to build our profile.

“I prefer Birmingham, I feel I get more love from people in Birmingham than back home. I came here to further my future and there are better resources here.

“My sights are on the British (title), my skill and ability is up there for British title fights.”

But first the puncher from paradise aims to spread a little Bermuda sunshine at the H Suite.