Tyler Denny retained his English middleweight title against Brad Rea in a thrilling fight in Manchester.
Despite being hurt badly in round nine, Denny would win by unanimous decision with the scorecards reading 95-94×2 97-92 in his favour.
Rea started strong, imposing his clear size advantage as he kept Denny at range and landed body shots to slow down the champion. Denny bounced back in round two, as a straight left hand pierced through Rea’s guard. Denny continued to use the same straight left and broke through the guard multiple times.
Denny picked up where he left off in round three as his compact southpaw style bewildered Rea. Rea tried to adapt as he tightened up his guard, but the champion continued to have success.
The rounds ticked on by, and it would turn into a firefight as the pair met in the middle of the ring. Denny had stretched a lead as he came off best when they traded, but Rea stood up to the shots well.
Punishing combinations from @Tnd91Denny as he lands a brutal uppercut 💥#FightNightManchester | 12 Nov | AO Arena, Manchester | @SkySportsBoxingpic.twitter.com/JQiSOxR1Vi
— BOXXER (@boxxer) November 12, 2022
Rea found success in round eight, as he caught Denny with a big right hand at range, however, Denny came back with combinations of his own.
However, the tide changed dramatically in round nine, as Rea would land a huge left hand to the body which visibly hurt the champion, Rea followed his man around the ring landing big shots but could not floor the champion. Denny would be deducted a point which actually gave him a chance to catch his breath. Rea rushed in but Denny withstood the onslaught and survived the round-of-the-year contender.
Huge drama as @bradrea_ unleashes hell on @Tnd91Denny as a left to the body unlocks the defences 🔓 🔥#FightNightManchester | 12 Nov | AO Arena, Manchester | @SkySportsBoxingpic.twitter.com/SDt0SqSKID
— BOXXER (@boxxer) November 12, 2022
Rea couldn’t capitalise in the final round, as the champion seemingly recovered and saw out the final round, as he kept out of range and landed his own flurries.
Denny was declared the winner by unanimous decision after a thrilling ten rounds, retaining his English title. Rea tastes defeat for the first time in his career, but Denny gave him high praise following the fight, as the champion believes that the 24-year-old Rea will definitely come again.
The respect between @Tnd91Denny and @bradrea_ after a superb English title fight is great to see 👏 🤝#FightNightManchester | 12 Nov | AO Arena, Manchester | @SkySportsBoxingpic.twitter.com/6SddexbPhh
— BOXXER (@boxxer) November 12, 2022