Strangely enough, time has the power to accentuate and exaggerate some memories while pushing others to the back of the mind and causing them to fade away.
European middleweight champion Tyler Dennehy didn't give Felix Cash any time to tarnish his image.
Denny makes the first defence of his title against Cash on Saturday but the former British champion's suspension will not shake the memory of just how dangerous he can be.
“I don't know where he's been or what he's been doing, but that's up to him,” Denny told Boxing Scene. “I'm out there and I'm confident.
“In my heart, I'm training for Felix, who beat Denzel Bentley. [Cash stopped Bentley in three rounds in 2021] That was when he was at his best. I have to train to be the best he can be. I thought he lost the match against the Russian. [Magomed Madiev, who Cash beat over ten rounds in February 2022]”He got dropped twice, he was hanging in there and he got the points taken away. If he comes out like that, he's definitely going to be beaten. So I'm prepared for whoever Bentley is going to be up against.”
“It's been rumored for a while now, but things have quieted down since then. But it could be worth the wait.”
Denny has emerged as one of the most improved fighters in British boxing over the past two years, his rise beginning with a British middleweight title win over River Wilson-Bent and culminating in the first career knockout victory when he claimed the European title against Italy's Matteo Signani in November 2023.
During that time he defeated unbeaten young challengers such as Brad Pauls and Bradley Ray, and then boxed the determined Macaulay McGowan.
Cash has boxed just eight rounds in that time and looked a shadow of his former self when he narrowly beat Portugal's Celso Neves in December 2022.
Since then, the 31-year-old has parted ways with Tony Sims and teamed up with Adam Booth. That, combined with his suspension, could make it hard to predict exactly who Denny will face. Will Cash swoop in and try to finish the job before Denny's nonstop work pays off, or will he start out cautious and try to tame an action-packed Denny before throwing himself into the fight?
“I expect him to come out quick,” Denny said. “He wasn't active. We came out quick against Bentley and got him out of there. That's my mindset. I'm ready for anything. If I were him, that's what I'd try to do.”
“I'm active and I can move the rounds at a good pace, so if he's exhausted and I'm still there, it could backfire badly. But it's going to be a great fight. I'm looking forward to it.”
Denney's development has been remarkable. After a number of draws and two failed attempts to win the English title early on in his career, the former plumber has thrived since switching his focus to boxing.
He started out fighting in small halls and undercards, but his title win over Signani became the centrepiece of a Sky Sports promotion and now he's set to prove himself on an even bigger scale at the resort's World Arena, less than 30 minutes from his Rowley Regis home.
Don't expect Denny to be affected by the situation and the weight of expectations — he's learned the value of being in the spotlight and he's not going to let anyone take that away from him now.
“I've bought a lot of tickets for my last few fights, which is great, but it doesn't bother me that much,” he said. “When I fought Brad Lea, it was in the boxer's backyard, on the boxer's show, not with the boxer. I went there and beat him. I beat River in Coventry, where he's from. I've done it before, so it's not an issue for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have the crowd on my side, but it doesn't bother me that much.”
“There's been a lot more promotions and events lately, but I remember the people who used to be there. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day. I used to use tools with him when he was a plumber, and now he's headlining at the Resorts World Arena. It's pretty amazing.”
“When I left my job I had kids so it was a big risk. I had to really believe in myself but I did. I gave it my all and it paid off. I'm not done yet. There's still so much more to achieve in this business.”
