Bradley Rea: How one defeat left him fighting back from the boxing wilderness

Not many boxers know the harsh reality of what a defeat can do to your career more than Bradley Rea.

In November 2022, the Lancashire fighter suffered his first professional loss in a close decision against Tyler Denny for the English middleweight title.

While Denny went on to collect European honours and face Hamzah Sheeraz at Wembley Stadium, Rea has not competed on a televised card in two and a half years.

That is set to change on 28 June when 27-year-old Rea headlines in Hull as he faces Shakan Pitters for the vacant European light-heavyweight title, which will be live on DAZN.

It has taken 31 months to get away from the small-hall events and back in front of a broadcast audience, and Rea did not think he would have to wait this long for another shot.

Rea, however, says he does not regret taking the risk that ultimately led to him slipping out of mainstream boxing.

“Not for one second did I consider not taking the Denny fight,” he tells BBC Sport.

“Since I turned pro, I’m in the game to test myself against the best possible opponents in the biggest possible fights.

“I knew it was a dangerous fight, and I knew it was a fight that if I wasn’t on my A-game it would go the other way.

“I didn’t turn up for one night, but people have bad days all the time. Losing your keys, stepping in a puddle, that’s a bad day for the average person.

“For me, it’s getting my head punched in. I seem to have been judged based off that one night.”