Mixed emotions for Tyler after quick win

Mike Tyler…second round win on the road to bigger things

FOR Mike Tyler – the Bermudian now based in Birmingham – emotions were decidedly mixed following his quick win at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn.

On promoter Tommy Owens’ dinner show last night (Saturday), the light-middle stretched his unbeaten record to seven by halting veteran Justin Menzie.

The Essex 40-year-old was pulled out at the end of the second of a scheduled six rounder in obvious distress. Menzie’s corner told me afterwards he’d damaged a nerve under the left eye.

Tyler and his team were hardly cracking open the Champers in their dressing room after the quick victory.

Trainer Anthony Hull lamented: “We needed the rounds. The plan was to stop Menzie in five, we weren’t looking for the stoppage. I’m happy with the way he’s learning, but we need the rounds. I’m happy with everything he’s doing.

“Tyler needs to be dragged into deep waters and that’s why we’ll be sparring Sam Eggington. We’ve already had great sparring with Kaisee Benjamin.”

Menzie, from Essex, did not have the CV to suggest he’s take 26-year-old Tyler into deep waters. He’s now lost 24 of 30 contests (one draw) and is on a 15 bout winless streak.

He gave it a go, but the quality in this all southpaw clash always came from Tyler (11st 1lb 9oz). Menzie (10st 13lbs) was stung by a left at the tail-end of the first, retreated to the ropes and took a succession of right hooks to the ribs.

Worse was to follow in the second. A right hand sent Menzie sprawling under the strands and he rose at seven clutching his left eye.

Something was obviously amiss and Menzie angrily shouted at his tormentor after taking another flurry of clean blows.

His retirement at the end of the one-sided session only hastened the inevitable.

In his dressing room, Tyler said: “I like the win, I like the stoppage, but I need more rounds. I need the six and eight round fights to get more experience. I’m comfortable at this weight, but for a title I’ll come down to welter.”

I’m not so sure. Tyler is tall and there doesn’t seem a lot to take from his lean frame. He’s also still a work in progress.

Plans to have a fight back in Bermuda seem to be on the back-burner.

Tyler added: “I’d fight over there, but they’d need to pay for a fight and a hotel for me and my trainer.”

That’s a lot of money to shell out for a prospect still serving his apprenticeship.