No title, but Denny is in a cracking contest

BILL for Tyler Denny’s next fight in front of the TV cameras

YOU have to feel sympathy for Tyler Denny, a middleweight respected by every professional in the country.

The Rowley Regis southpaw has more than earned a major fight. In all honesty, after beating three unbeaten prospects on the spin with the English title on the line, Denny should’ve been given a straight crack at the Lonsdale Belt.

I really don’t know what else he had to do.

I believed the 31-year-old had finally been rewarded for the small hall graft and setbacks, that the perseverance had paid off.

The word was Tyler had clinched a European title fight on the major Resorts World show, taking place on Coronation Day, May 6, and televised on Sky Sports.

It was not to be.

In a simple message, Denny – a genuinely nice individual – said: “We couldn’t get it over the line.”

Instead, Denny faces Manchester Macaulay McGowan in a 10 round non-title fight.

It’s a good match-up, with or without a belt on the line.

McGowan, aged 22, has lost only three of 22 (two draws) – and those losses have come against very good opposition.

He got off the floor in the seventh to lose on points to Argentina’s veteran world middleweight champ Sergio Martinez in Madrid last year: admittedly, Martinez had slipped from the fine fighter who stopped Matt Macklin back in 2012.

McGowan was dropped and outpointed by British contender Kieron Conway, a man the Board of Control wanted Tyler to face in a British title final eliminator.

Former outstanding amateur Tursynbay Kulakhmet also gained a 10 round decision over McGowan.

He’s coming off a draw with Farrhad Saad (unbeaten in 10, two draws) in Paris last month.

McGowan’s active, seasoned and mixed in fine company. Denny needs to be at his best.

And if there’s no slip-ups, surely no one can deny Denny a title shot next time.