Denny-Sheeraz: We ask experts to pick winner of super-fight

Tyler Denny...biggest night of career. Pic: Boxxer/Lawrence Lustig

IN the unforgiving fight game, there are precious few fairytales, but there is a true Cinderella Man. Tyler Denny.

Once seemingly condemned to small halls, the southpaw craftsman has climbed to the top through a string of against-the-odds victories.

Who would’ve believed the fighter held to a draw by Christian Hoskin Gomez, who has amassed only seven wins in 52 contests, or sliced-up and stopped by Reece Cartwright for the English title would one day rule Europe and command a lofty world ranking?

Denny’s tale is testament to his steely determination and self-belief.

On Saturday, on the mega Wembley bill topped by Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois’ heavyweight super showdown, the Rowley Regis boxer’s dedication and old fashioned bottle is rewarded with the biggest, most lucrative night of his 24 bout career.

The 33-year-old puts his European middleweight title on the line against thunderous punching Hamzah Sheeraz.

Commonwealth and WBC silver titleholder Sheeraz is considered a world champ in waiting, with 20 straight wins, 16 inside distance.

Coventry’s River Wilson-Bent gave Denny two tough fights. Sheeraz demolished him in two. Ryan Kelly, Denny’s former BCB stablemate, lasted until the sixth. Former British champ Liam Williams was blown away in one and, last time out, former world class amateur Ammo Williams, an American being groomed for stardom, was impressively halted in 11 and dropped along the way.

The bookies and many fight experts are saying this is where Denny’s incredible Rocky story is derailed. This is one fight too far for the Black Country warrior.

But many predicted the same thing when Tyler faced unbeaten prospects Bradley Rea and Brad Pauls, the latter now British champion. He proved them spectacularly wrong.

And the majority didn’t give Denny a hope in hell of beating Felix Cash, who had never tasted defeat in a 16 bout career that brought him British, Commonwealth and WBC international titles.

In June, Tyler tore-up the script by out-bullying and beating the favourite. It was a technical decision following a head clash, but Tyler was well on top.

Can he burst another bubble on Saturday night? Can he put another supposed monster to the sword? We asked some well-known names in the West Midlands’ game.

Adam Harper...."sadly, I think Tyler Denny loses on Saturday"

Adam Harper, former English light-middleweight champ and now a manager – an expert on the current scene: “I’ve predicted Tyler Denny to win in every other fight. Apart from BCB (Black Country Boxing, Denny’s promoters), I was the only one to back him to beat Derrick Osaze, Brad Pauls, Bradley Rea…

“Tyler Denny is a European champion and they don’t give those titles away, he is a special fighter. Tyler is very skilful, extremely fit and durable. He used to give me a good hiding in sparring.

But, sadly, I think he’ll lose on Saturday – and that’s said without malice.

“On Saturday night he will meet a world class opponent with world class attributes and world class power and those attributes are too great for Tyler to overcome.

“He is, I feel, second best to Hamzah Sheeraz in every department – maybe not his engine, but that is the only advantage.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a two horse race, but Sheeraz needs to not turn up (be well below his best) and Tyler to be on his A Game for a Tyler Denny win. I can’t see him winning if Sheeraz turns up.

“If Tyler can unsettle him, it will be a really, really interesting fight. Will he get a chance to unsettle him? I don’t know.

“It’s a major, career best payday for Tyler. He began on small hall shows and deserves every penny.”

River Wilson Bent picks Denny. Pic: GBM Sports/Leigh Dawney

River Wilson-Bent, Coventry middle who has fought both Denny and Sheeraz: “Hamzah Sheeraz is a very disciplined fighter, he will only fight his fight.

“If Tyler can stop him being disciplined, make him fight his fight, he has a bang on chance, he can do it.

“I think Tyler likes being the underdog. In the fights where he’s been the underdog, he’s come out on top. He likes people to doubt him because he likes to prove them wrong, as we all do.

“But what a card, what a show. It’s going to be electric!”

Tristan Davies (far right with Liam)..."Sheeraz has weaknesses"

Tristan Davies, trainer and father of IBO and European super-bantam champ Liam: “I think Tyler can outpoint him or stop him late on. I work with Tyler - he’s very fit and very game. Hamzah has been well looked after, there’s been a lot of eyes on him.

“I have always rated Hamzah Sheeraz, but everyone has weaknesses and working on those weaknesses is what we are going to do as a team. He has weaknesses, we all have weaknesses.

If Tyler can keep out of range, he can win. Hamzah must struggle at the weight and he can be vulnerable.

“Tyler deserves this fight. The guy is a genuine bloke and deserves everything he gets. He hasn’t changed. He wouldn’t be any different to you today as he was four years ago.

“What it is, is a great fight for Tyler, for BCB, for boxing in general. This is what the fans want.”

Bradley Goldsmith..."I'm rooting for Denny"

Bradley Goldsmith, from Coventry and one of the country’s hottest middleweight prospects: “I’m rooting for Tyler to do the job and in good fashion. I can see it being more competitive than people think. I’m going to say points, but Tyler does have the power to get the stoppage.

“One hundred per cent it has the ingredients for a great fight and I’m excited about watching it.”

Jason Lowe...going for Sheeraz' "strength and brutality"

Jason Lowe, MC, trainer and co-founder of Birmingham’s award-winning Women’s Boxing Club: “I’m going to say Hamzah Sheeraz on his strength and brutality. However, if Tyler Denny can put on a fast pace, a very fast pace, he might be able to win on points.

“He has to pick the speed up, throw combinations, then get out, like the fast amateur days.”