BcB's English Champion Tyler Denny was crowned EBU External Middleweight champ after beating Macaulay McGowan on a split decision. Thirty-one-year-old Denny from Rowley Regis was on the undercard of the Boxxer Promotions show with Joshua Buatsi headlining. The show which had a staked undercard with boxers from the Midlands in the home corner was held at Resorts World Birmingham (6.6.23). In a hard-fought ten-round contest, both fighters went for it with it being a contender for fight of the night. Denny’s record before this contest was sixteen wins and three draws out of twenty-one contests. His opponent McGowan (28) from Manchester had won seventeen and drew two out of twenty-two contests.
The contest was refereed by ‘A’ St ref Kevin Parker with both fighters coming in eleven stone five.
Denny took the center of the ring and used his jab well to control the contest winning the first as both fighters weighed each other up. The fight started to heat up in the second with both fighters letting their hands go, close round I had McGowan edging it. Hard third round with both fighters getting good shots off, a close round with Denny nicking it with a strong finish to the round.
Cracking fourth round by Denny who landed some big combinations, showed great movement, and picked his shots well. McGowan got some nice combinations off in the fifth and was moving well, Denny was still getting good shots off of his own just nicking this round. Denny was well in the groove in the sixth and was continuing to get good combinations off to McGowan’s head and body. McGowan sustained a cut above his left eye due to a clash of heads, Denny won the round. McGowan was Boxing well in the seventh and getting some nice combinations off but Denny was relentless with his pressure landing good shots of his own, even round.
McGowan came out swinging in the eighth and caught Denny with a flurry of shots which seemed to hurt him putting him on the back foot. Denny had to hold and spoil to get through the round, McGowan’s round. Scrappy ninth round with lots of holding as both fighters looked tired, McGowan just edged the round. Both fighters looked tired in the final round with a lot of holding with the ref having a word, even round.
Judge Massimo Barrovecchio scored it 97 to 93 McGowan, Mark Lyson, and Kieran McCann had it 96 to 94 Denny. Denny wins the title on a split decision, I had it 97 to 95 Denny.
Dexter’s Thoughts
This was a fight of two halves with Denny winning the first part and McGowan coming on strong in the later rounds. It was a cracking fight and Denny showed that he should be in line for a crack at the British or European titles. He has added another title to his collection and I hope that he does get a shot at the bigger titles very soon. He seems to improve with every contest he is in and rises to the occasion and is always in exciting fights. I look forward to seeing him fight again very soon.