Video: Tyler Christopher Earns Points Win
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermudian boxer Tyler Christopher knocked down Jordan Grannum twice during a convincing points victory in Staffordshire, England, today [March 6].
The southpaw delivered the most impressive display of his professional career against a durable opponent who had only been floored twice in 169 bouts, with the referee scoring the contest 160-152.
Christopher, who extends his perfect record to ten successive victories, sent Grannum crashing to the canvas with a vicious left hand early in the third stanza of the middleweight fight.
Sensing an opportunity to close the show, Christopher caught Grannum with another pinpoint backhand, flooring the Englishman for a second time before the end of the round.
Although Christopher could not finish the contest inside the scheduled six rounds, he thoroughly dominated his experienced rival in front of an esteemed audience at the Excelsior Sporting Club in the Premier Suite at Bar Sport in Cannock.
Among those at ringside were Northern Ireland’s Barry McGuigan, a former WBA featherweight champion, and England’s Richie Woodhall, a former WBC super-middleweight champion.
Christopher, 28, said he and his coach Anthony Hull prepared for the bout by studying YouTube footage of Grannum [12-153-5] and praised his opponent for surviving the six rounds.
“He knows when to cover up; he knows when to take his time and when to explode,” Christopher said. “I watched about ten of his fights to ensure everything was covered.”
Grannum, 32, admits he was left stunned by the power in Christopher’s left hand.
“In 169 fights, I had only been put down twice,” Grannum said.
“For this man to do it twice in one night, I must take my hat off to him. [Tyler’s] an excellent fighter. After the first knockdown, I knew I had to try and stay safe because that left hand has a lot of power.”
Woodhall, who interviewed Christopher in the ring after the fight, said: “I like how he gets behind his jab. He boxed with some caution. What he needs to learn – and it will come with experience – is to know when to shift through the gears.
“His jab is very skilful. He’s going places because he has a good style.”
