There's no play acting with sparring partners
Rowley Regis' Tyler Denny unwittingly picked himself up a manager on the basis of one of his notorious spars with Andrew Robinson in the gym.
It's never a playful session when the two step through the ropes at Shaun Cooper's fight club in Brierley Hill,
Robinson is the established professional with one defeat from 15 and that was on points to the heavy-hitting Frank Buglioni, the WBO European title on the line in their exciting slugfest.
Denny was a regular competitor for Old Hill Boxing Club in Cradley Heath but has yet to lace on a paid glove, but all that will change in three days time.
'Robbo' isn't in the other corner, but is on the bill at the Venue in Dudley and knows first-hand just how tough the new kid on the block is.
Witnessing one of their ongoing wars in the training ring was enough to persuade Paul 'PJ' Rowson to persuade Denny to turn pro under his guidance, with Cooper his trainer.
Rowson said: "I think this kid has really got something, I saw enough in one session to convince me that he's going to be a good professional.
"For him to go in with a high-level fighter like Andy, who is at the top of his game, and hold his own like he does is impressive. It wasn't tip tap stuff - it was a right old ding dong.
"They are both real pressure fighters, but box differently. Andy is elusive and like to attack from angles, while Tyler is more orthodox and solid.
"He boxes like a pro already, some amateur lads need time to adapt but I don't reckon that will the case with Tyler.
"It didn't take me long to make my mind up that he's worth pushing and I am proud to have him on board, to be honest.
"Both are comfortable at either middleweight or super middle and I have every confidence Tyler will follow Andy's lead in boxing for titles."
Denny, 23, will turn over against Shaun Watt at Friday's fight night, on a show consisting of six four-round affairs.
Robinson still has no idea who he will take on when the bell tolls, such is the difficulty Rowson is having finding an opponent.
The exploits of 'D'Animal' against Buglioni last November established him as a game endurance fighter, which has left some running scared.
Christian Hoskin-Gomez stepped up to be outpointed in February over six at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, where Robinson could return to box for a Midlands title on June 6.
Rowson said: "We have really struggled to get Andy matched for this one, even the foreigners we have approached don't want to know.
"That night with Buglioni did his reputation almost as much good as winning, but we didn't expect the problems we've had finding him opponents since then.
"This is his last 'keep busy' fight, as far as I am concerned, and then we will look to get him one of the area belts in the summer. He wants to be a Midlands champion."
Ryan Aston, Ricky Summers, Ryan Partridge and another debutant in Les Byfield - all from Priory Park Boxing Club - complete the rest of the card.
For more information and a limited number of tickets, call promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157. The Venue can be contacted on 01384 459 800.
