Denny added to big Resorts World show

Tyler Denny…a boxer in the form of his life

GIFTED southpaw craftsman Tyler Denny has been added to the huge Boxxer bill staged at Resorts World, Birmingham, on May 6.

An opponent has yet to be announced for the Rowley Regis star, but the rumour is he’ll battle for an international belt.

That suits Tyler just fine. He was initially impatient for a richly deserved British title fight. Now the English champ’s attitude is pragmatic.

The 31-year-old looked to have clinched a Lonsdale Belt bid after beating three red-hot prospects on the spin in televised English title 10 rounders.

First, Coventry’s River Wilson-Bent was put to the sword, then Bradley Rea was widely outpointed. In February, Brad Pauls was, frankly, schooled.

That run seemed certain to establish Tyler as number one contender, yet the wait continues.

First British champ Denzel Bentley will defend against Kieran Smith on April 15. The winner has been ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control to defend against Hamzah Sheeraz.

Denny has been selected to face Kieron Conway in a final eliminator. He’s less than ecstatic over the proposition. The Lonsdale Belt has lost some of its lustre.

“I’ve lost a bit of interest in it,” he shrugged. “People have gained a mandatory shot at a British title for a lot less (than I’ve achieved).

“They have put me and Kieron Conway in an eliminator. What’s the point of that – for either of us? I’m not angry, it’s out of my control. I’ll go down a different route and return to the British title later, if need be.”

Like a good wine, Denny appears to be improving with age. After falling short in two bids to take the English belt, he faced Wilson-Bent for the title. That was declared a controversial draw after the contest was halted because of River’s cuts.

Tyler won the return and peeled off two high-profile, potentially dangerous defences. He has lost only two of 21 (three draws).

He said: “I did expect a harder fight last time (against Brad Pauls), but what’s happened isn’t a fluke – I put the graft in. I train day in, day out, three times a day.

“I enjoy what I do and I’m not difficult to work with. In fact, it’s a good job they deal with Errol (manager Errol Johnson), because I’d take any fight.”