It has been 18 months since Felix Cash last fought, but now – with new trainer Adam Booth – he challenges for the European middleweight title.

Cash (16-0, 10 KOs) will meet champion Tyler Denny on Saturday at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England, trying to get his career back on track after it was derailed following a number of problems outside the ropes.

“I’m very excited to be back in the ring on Saturday,” said the challenger. “I’ve really enjoyed fight week, soaking it all in, and I want to thank you, Eddie [Hearn] and Matchroom, for sticking in there with me when I’ve been out of the ring for 18 months and giving me the European title shot and winning the purse bid. I’m looking forward to Saturday and getting my hands on that European title, making up for lost time and, like you say, the middleweight division is opening up and I’m looking at getting a shot at a world title.

"Every fight is a must-win fight. I’m just looking forward to it. I’m in his backyard, but it doesn’t matter to me, I’m looking good and feeling good in the gym, and I don’t think he stands a chance with me on Saturday night. He’s going to come out and try his best, but it’s not going to be good enough.”

In 2021, Cash appeared headed to the top following an impressive third-round stoppage of Denzel Bentley but fought just twice more before parting ways with trainer Tony Sims and starting over.

"I definitely think I am going to get him [Denny] out of there inside the distance, but we’ll have a look at him after the first couple of rounds, and I don’t think he’ll go the distance,” said Cash. “I want to be in the big fights, and I sure will be after this one.”

Southpaw Denny (18-2-3, 1 KO) said he was looking forward to the fight, and added that mutual respect will not be on the table in Birmingham. He won the title last November, stopping Matteo Signani.

“It’s a bit of a shame really because I’ve been around Felix for a few days and he seems like an alright character and he’s got a nice story,” Denny said. “He’s been out of the ring, but he’s going to get smashed on Saturday. And I feel bad for him, but this is the game we’re in.

"Fair play to him, he’s got some catching up to do, because when he knocked Denzel Bentley out, he was meant to go on to world titles by now.

"We have our back-and-forth, but I respect him – he’s a good fighter. It’s just the run that I’ve been on and the work I do in the gym day in, day out. You can’t cheat this game; boxing will find you out. Whatever he’s been up to over the months and years, I’ve been in the gym grinding every day, and it’s going to show on Saturday. I’m going to break him down and get him out of there, and still …”