Will the legend continue for perennial underdog Tyler Denny?

Written by Oscar Pick

Underdog middleweight Tyler Denny overcame painful obstacles to take home his first European title defense against Felix Cash this Saturday.

The 32-year-old is no stranger to the away corner, but having recently taken control of his career, he will treat his fans to a third successive Black Country game.

As he returns to the Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, as champion, Denny finds himself, however, sitting in some familiar territory.

Before his impressive form two years ago, the West Midlands southpaw was on the verge of fading following two defeats in English title fights.

Reece Cartwright gave him the first spot back in 2018 when Denny was stopped in the eighth round after injuring his right eye.

At that time it was Linus Udofia – another strong operator – who, just over a year later, won a 10-round majority decision, walking out of York Hall as the newly crowned British champion at 160 lbs.

At this time, it was hard to imagine a country where Denny could make a living from the game, let alone challenge for and eventually win the European title.

Unlike any other sport, losing in boxing can be disastrous for a fighter's career.

The results are immediate, as no promoter – or broadcaster, for that matter – wants to rebuild a fighter after a loss.

For them, this process is time-consuming and expensive, which means that the striker will soon be forgotten once his contract is up.

In Denny's case, it was imperative that he bounce back from his second professional loss quickly, and he did so by pinning Derrick Osaze before he was, once again, given the opportunity to take the vacant English title.

He stood in the opposite corner of River Wilson-Bent, who suffered a concussion over his left eye, leading to the bout being stopped in the middle of the seventh round.

However, instead of giving Denny a chance to win the stoppage, the referee ruled that the cuts were caused by an accidental clash of heads, in fact caused by a blow.

So, when it came to the judges' cards, and the fight was declared a draw, Denny was left with two options: return to his former job as a plumber and give up any sporting ambitions or pursue a rematch with him. Wilson-Bent and they want a belt that is always beyond his control.

Thankfully, he chose the latter and, after coming out on top in an impressive 10-round contest, he was able to once again advance as champion.

Denny then made a name for himself on home soil – defeating Bradley Rea, Brad Pauls and Macaulay McGowan – before skipping the British title in a bid to face the experienced European champion, Matteo Signani.

The competition was in the headlines in November last year at the Civic Hall, Wolverhampton. Denny put on a scintillating display en route to stopping his opponent in the eighth round, shining brighter than ever in front of his hometown fans.

Somehow, despite the progress he's made and the decisions he's made to get to this point, not much has changed for Denny.

When he faces the next player, he will be someone who seems to be less of an outside show, although closer to where he lives.

Regardless of Felix Cash's inactivity in recent years, there's a good chance he's not that far removed from the fearsome pitcher who sent Denzel Bentley three rounds back in 2021.

In addition, the appointment of Adam Booth as his new coach suggests that his development potential is still very much under control.

For Denny's, Cash represents yet another difficult assignment.

But, with a habit of proving people wrong, there may be a fairy tale ending to his great story after all.