Tyler Denny: Felix is going to be smashed
Stare-down…Denny and Cash at the press conference
THE last public words have been exchanged before Tyler Denny and Felix Cash meet on Matchroom’s mouthwatering Resorts World show tomorrow (Saturday).
And they were not polite niceties.
At the final press conference, held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel – only a long left hook from the arena, the middleweights threw insults before throwing leather.
Rowley Regis’ Denny, who puts his European title on the line, criticised Cash’s haircut and vowed to “smash” him. Surrey’s Cash, a member of the travelling fraternity, promised he had too much of everything and would win comfortable.
With promoter Eddie Hearn between them, the pair performed the now traditional verbal pantomime for the press.
The bickering has ended, the brutality soon begins.
Denny faces the press at yesterday’s media event
In truth, the 12 rounder does not need banter to make it a box office draw. It is a mouthwatering match-up of the highest quality: one of two battles on the bill that are truly five star.
The other features a fellow BCB trained fighter, Conah Walker. The Wolverhampton Raging Bull faces Belfast’s unbeaten, big punching Lewis Crocker.
Thursday’s conference – well-oiled and theatrical – was a fittingly grand affair for such grand contests. Denny, in full England kit, looked relaxed and confident as he mingled and chatted with the crowd.
Cash, tall and tanned, talked to his team away from the media scrum.
It is a contest, long in the making, that has gathered intrigue with age.
Two years ago, I would not have hesitated in picking 31-year-old Cash to win. But after notching-up 16 wins and claiming the British title, Felix wandered from the sport. On his own admission his discipline waned, he did not live the life – and history has told us top fighters lose something with every lapse. Ricky Hatton’s tendency to pile on pounds took its toll, Prince Naseem was not the same after insisting on doing things how he wanted, when he wanted.
Two years ago, southpaw Denny had yet to embark on an incredible run that saw him beat two top prospects away from home and, last November in Wolverhampton, stop Italian veteran Matteo Signani for the European title.
Calm before the storm…Cash is all smiles at the press conference
The 32-year-old, who has only two losses in 23, is enjoying the form of his life. He is a very different fighter from the one hurt, gashed and stopped by Reece Cartwright for the English title back in 2018.
Yet Cash, with no warm-up bout, plunges straight back in the deep end against this cunning and crafty warrior. At the Hilton Metropole, he gave the impression of an athlete forced to drop down a level to get back to where he should be. He spoke as if victory was a formality.
“I’m very excited to be back in the ring on Saturday and getting my hands on that European title and making up for lost time,” he said.
“Every fight is a must win fight. I’ve been looking good in the gym. He’s going to fight his best, but it won’t be good enough.
“We’ll have a look at him and after a couple of rounds go to work. I don’t think it will go the distance.”
When Denny, one of the true ring nice-guys, hinted Cash had struggled to make weight, the gifted gypsy fighter sneered: “Is that what you’re hoping, that I’m struggling at the weight? Are you worried?
“You keep talking about smashing people – who have you smashed?”
Denny gave as good as he got during the verbal sparring.
“I’m buzzing,” he said. “It’s a shame, I’ve been around him and his team for the last couple of days and he seems a nice lad, but he’s going to get smashed on Saturday. He’s got some catching up to do, he’s getting over-excited.
“He’s a good fighter. We’ve had our back-and-forth, but I respect him. Boxing will find you out. While he’s been away, I’ve been in the gym. I’ll beat him down.”