Tyler: I’m close to a Midlands title shot

Mike Tyler…quality sparring with Kaisee Benjamin

PREPARE for a sizzling slice of Bermuda in Birmingham on Saturday.

And if fans have yet to cast an eye over Tyler Christopher, who fights under the name Mike Tyler, I urge them to attend the Holiday Inn at Birmingham Airport to see what the buzz is all about.

The former Bermuda international, now a member of the D&A gym, has brought Caribbean sunshine to the local circuit.

On Tommy Owens’ show, the southpaw light-middle'/welter steps up to six round class after peeling off six wins, one by stoppage.

He fights Essex veteran Justin Menzie, a man who appears to have only experience on his side. The 40-year-old has won five of 23 (one draw) and is on a 14 fight losing streak.

For Tyler, bigger things beckon. A Midlands title fight is close, he told me.

The 26-year-old said: “I’m getting a lot more British people following me. Another six rounder and then a Midlands title fight, that’s the plan. It could even happen in the next fight.

“That’s what I came here to do, to make my name in Britain. I always step in the ring to make a statement and they say this guy comes to fight. The last guy, he just tucked up in a shell.

“I need six round fights, I need 50-50 fights. I know I have the talent, I just need the experience.

Tyler Christopher…poster for his first six rounder

“I’ve been sparring Kaisee Benjamin (the light-welter fights for the European title next month). He like to spar me because I’m a good southpaw.”

Tyler has made Birmingham his home and does not yearn to return to Bermuda, even though the man could give professional boxing a considerable boost over there.

At present, islanders’ hopes rest with unbeaten Andre Lamb who lifted the American Boxing Organisation welterweight title in January.

What a Bermudian barnstormer a battle between 7-0 Lambe and Christopher would be.

“I feel we’re on the same level,” said Tyler, “but he’s more popular than me – that’s just the way it is.

“A lot of people want to see me come back and fight, but promoters need to reach out to me and that hasn’t happened yet.”

Boxing wise, Bermuda’s loss is very much Birmingham’s gain.