Tyler Denny not intimidated ahead of Hamzah Sheeraz European title clash - 'Nothing to me'
Published 25/08/2024 at 22:09 GMT+1
European middleweight champion Tyler Denny puts his belt on the line against emerging contender Hamzah Sheeraz, live on TNT Sports Box Office on September 21 as part of the Daniel Dubois v Anthony Joshua undercard. The 33-year-old said that he does not put much stock in Sheeraz's position as the favourite going by the current odds offered by some bookmakers ahead of the clash.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Tyler Denny is unconcerned by Hamzah Sheeraz’s status as heavy favourite ahead of their clash.
The bookmakers have unbeaten Sheeraz (20-0, 16 KOs), as the favourite to win at Wembley Stadium on September 21, live on TNT Sports Box Office, on the undercard of Daniel Dubois v Anthony Joshua.
Denny has a more mixed record (19-2-3, 1 KO), but carries the European middleweight championship into the clash.
At 25, Sheeraz is eight years younger than Denny, and appears set to challenge at the top of the division sooner rather than later.
The European championship would be a boost to Sheeraz’s career after a recent win over Austin Williams, while Denny’s previous fight was a knockout victory over Felix Cash.
Speaking to Queensberry Promotions' YouTube channel, Denny made it clear he wanted more from his remaining years in boxing.
“It’s a nice story but I want to carry this story on,” he said. "On September 21 it carries on.
“I am imagining it. Sometimes I don’t take it all in. This I am going to. It’s all about winning for me. As much as it’s Wembley Stadium, I’d rather fight in Walsall Town Hall if it meant that I was going to win. It’s all about winning for me. That’s the main goal.
“As much as it’s a fairytale story, If I actually thought I had no chance, I’m not gonna [take it]. I know it’s going to be a hard fight, but I genuinely believe I’m going to win and upset a lot of people, but I’m used to that now. Life goes on.”
Denny claimed he is not complacent, but suggested he is on a similar level to his opponent.
He explained: “You’ve gotta give him credit where credit is due, and I watched the ‘Ammo’ Williams fight and thought, ‘Wow, that was a world-class performance’, but I’ve won the European title, and I’ve defended it against a guy who was meant to be going on to world level, so I have to put myself in that same bracket as well.
“Unfortunately for Hamzah, he’s next on the list. I’ve got a lot of respect for him but this is boxing and that’s what’s going to happen on September 21st. I’ve beaten a lot of undefeated people and I get written off against all of them.
“Already online, I’m seeing it doesn’t go past two rounds, but they said this last time. It means nothing to me. I kind of like it to be honest, proving them wrong. I don’t even go back and comment and say, ‘What were you saying?’ It’s good. I like it in my own head to think, ‘What are you saying now?’”
He continued: “He’s undefeated? That’s nothing to me. It’s just another fight for me, just on the biggest stage possible.”
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