Boxing star Tyler Denny preparing to unleash frustration on long-awaited ring return

The 34-year-old former European middleweight champion has been among numerous fighters left stuck on the sidelines after promoter Boxxer lost its broadcast deal with Sky Sports and has described 2025 as the toughest year of his career.

But he hopes Friday’s eight-rounder with the veteran Dennis will deliver a reminder of his talent and be a springboard for better things to come in 2026.

Denny told the Express & Star: “Six weeks ago it was all doom and gloom so being back in the ring gives me such a buzz.

“It’s a fight I am very confident of winning but I can’t afford to take it easy. I want to put on a good performance and show people I still have a lot to offer.”

Denny had won six straight fights, including four against previously unbeaten opponents, before losing his European title inside two rounds to Hamzah Sheeraz inside two rounds in front of 90,000 at Wembley. 

He rebounded with an impressive points win over Elvis Ahorgah at Birmingham’s BP Pulse Arena in April but was then impacted by Boxxer’s struggles.

Possible fights in September, October and November failed to come to fruition, with Denny spending almost the entire time training for a date which never arrived.

Errol Johnson, his manager at BCB Promotions, ultimately decided to take matters into his own hands by scheduling the Dudley show.

“We had to make it happen ourselves,” said Denny. “After the fight in April, we were told Boxxer would be doing a show in Birmingham in September but then they lost the Sky deal.

“Not hearing anything has been very frustrating. You can feel like you are making all your sacrifices for nothing.” 

The dad-of-four continued: “I wanted to be ready in case they gave me three weeks’ notice for a fight, or something like that. 

“But then you are missing stuff with the Mrs and the kids, not going out and doing social things. 

“I was just training and sleeping. You don’t mind when you have a goal and you can have family time after but when you are doing it for six, seven, eight months with nothing in the pipeline, it can get a bit much. 

“You ask yourself, why am I bothering? Why am I wasting my time? 

“But then it is life, I guess. It is not always going to be straightforward.”

A return to the small hall at least gives Denny’s fans a chance to see him fight “on the doorstep” and he will be cheered on by more than 300 of them on Friday.

While the former plumber retains hope of a shot at either the British or the European belts in the long-term, his main wish moving forward is to remain active.

“I just want big fights, regardless of whether there is a title on the line,” he said. 

“It’s been frustrating because heading into the fight at Wembley I was on such a high.

“But I guess if you want the highs, you have to take the lows. 

“These are the times which probably test you the most. How much do you want it when things aren’t rosy for you? I have been battling away and it will all be worthwhile come Friday.”