Tyler Christopher: Boxing Saved My Life
Tyler Christopher says boxing saved his life and believes the sport kept him out of prison.
Christopher, who has a perfect record of nine wins in the professional ranks, moved to Birmingham, England, five years ago to pursue his passion.
“I was a proper piece of s*** back in the day,” Christopher told M6 sports.
“Gangs, violence, drugs, breaking into houses. I spent time on remand, but I never received a custodial sentence. Boxing kept me out of jail, boxing saved my life.
“If it wasn’t for boxing, we wouldn’t be speaking now. I’d be in jail or dead. That’s my back story.”
The light-middleweight, who trains at the D&A Boxing School of Excellence in Stirchley, is set to return to the ring on March 6 in Cannock, Staffordshire.
He admits he is disappointed to have only fought once this year, a routine four-round win over journeyman Serge Ambomo.
“As far as my boxing, I’m not too pleased,” he said, “but it’s no one’s fault.
“I’m at the stage where I’m past journeymen and need to be put in the right fights. I’m past the apprenticeship stage, I need 50-50 fights.
“I haven’t travelled six rounds yet. I want six rounds then start banging on the door for big names. Since coming here in 2019, I’ve transformed into a complete fighter.
“I truly believe I’m British level, I truly believe I can mix it up with those guys. I feel my skills are as good as anyone in there [the top rankings] I just need the experience. Talent wise, I feel I can make it up there.
“I want to get on TV, they are going to love me on TV. But I don’t want to force anything because when you force things, that’s when things go wrong.”
