Tyler Denny is not going to allow his two-round defeat to Hamzah Sheeraz, one of the world’s leading middleweights, ruin the feel-good story that his career has thus far largely been.
The former European champion, 19-3-3 (1 KO), is ready to dust himself down and go again on April 20 in Birmingham, England, when he takes on Ghana’s Elvis Ahorgah, 13-3 (12 KOs) and fresh off a loss to Callum Simpson.
From Rowley Regis – a mere 10-mile journey to the Resorts World Arena where the bill will be topped by the Ben Whittaker-Liam Cameron return – Denny went from the obscurity of small hall shows in the UK to the champion of his continent in the space of three years.
He has no qualms about stepping back down a level after coming up second best to Sheeraz in the ground surroundings of Wembley Stadium.
“I’m buzzing to be back to be fair,” Denny said. “I enjoyed the Wembley stuff but I lost at the end of the day – and that doesn’t sit nice with me. People say, ‘Yeah, but you fought [at Wembley Stadium]’, but I’d rather fight and win at a town hall.”
It would be wrong, however, to suggest that Denny has merely found his level.
“I never really had any goals so I’ve exceeded all expectations so the hunger is still there,” remarked the 33-year-old southpaw. “People were saying I couldn’t win a Midlands title, the English title I had no chance, and then I won the European. I feel I’m still getting better and better.
“I’m going to show everyone I’ve got plenty left in the tank. Elvis will make for a fun fight.”