Tysie Gallagher: “This could change my life.”

Tysie Gallagher: “This could change my life.”

It was a grand launch into the UK market for Jake Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions. That old Olympia building played host to the press conference to formally announce MVP’s first show on UK soil. An all-female main card live on Sky Sports featuring the likes of Ellie Scotney, Caroline Dubois, Terri Harper, and Emma Dolan.

The aforementioned names were seated at the top table, but several fighters who will grace the undercard were seated a little way from the bright lights. Almost unnoticed, they listened intently as Dubois and Harper traded verbal blows ahead of their big world lightweight unification showdown. A media scrum followed the conclusion of the press conference, the undercard fighters finally got their chance to speak in front of the camera.

Tysie Gallagher (10-2) was one of those fighters. The reigning British and Commonwealth super-bantamweight champion. A former world title challenger, Gallagher is very much looking forward to fighting on April 5th.

“It’s a big one, and I am absolutely buzzing for it,” Gallagher told me over Zoom. “I feel I am finally getting the recognition that I deserve. I can showcase my talent to a different audience. I have seen all these big things happening with the girls, and I have wanted to be a part of it for ages because I believe I belong there. And now I am finally a part of it.”

The story of Tysie Gallagher is eerily similar to that of Emma Dolan. Underappreciated, boxing and winning titles in the shadows. Gallagher and Dolan have taken no shortcuts. The long, hard road to the big show. “I know Emma very well, and after the press conference, I was speaking to her, and we said we have been doing this for ages, and we have done it the hard way. We have had to sell tickets. It hasn’t been given to us. But I am very glad we have done it the hard way. We have a very similar story, but we are both getting on the big stage now.”

The opportunity has finally presented itself to Gallagher. Like Dolan, she isn’t signed to MVP. Easter Sunday is an audition process for the 27-year-old. It’s not just about winning. The aim is to get a contract to become a permanent member of that ever-increasing MVP family.

“It’s like a golden ticket,” Gallagher says. “If you win, impress, and then get signed with MVP. They are the ones who are offering the opportunities. They have a got a stable of girls who are in and around my weight, and I want to be in that. MVP provide the big fights and the best fights. Nothing has been happening for me. I have been the Commonwealth champion since 2023. I have been the British champion since 2024. That phone has not rang. Nobody has called. Nobody wants my belts. Everyone is there ready to fight, but they are taking other fights instead. My phone has never rung. We are always putting out to all the girls at my weight. Every single one of them. I just want to fight the best. I just want to be actvie and it’s not happening.” 

“But MVP make things happen,” Gallagher added. “Who doesn’t want to be on one of their cards? They are paying the money everyone deserves. The girls can’t turn down the fights because there are no excuses.”

The frustration is obvious. Despite good wins over Stevi Levy, Tori-Ellis Willets, and Ellie Hellewell in her last three fights, Gallagher wanted and expected more. “I thought having the belts would get me fights. A few years ago, when I saw the other girls with the belts, I wanted those belts. It’s just baffling. We offer the fights to the up-and-coming girls, and they don’t take the fight. They should want to come for my titles and test themselves. It is really frustrating. But I think winning on this card in April will open the doors and bring the big opportunities and the world titles for me.”

You sense that April 5th is a pivotal moment in the career of Tysie Gallagher. A night in London where winning might not be enough if she wants a seat at that top table. But there are no signs of Gallagher buckling under the pressure of having to impress on the big stage.

“Of course, there is a bit of pressure, but it’s motivation,” Gallagher told me. “It’s like someone dangling a carrot in front of me. This could change my life. It gets me up for the fight and gets me excited. I have just got to go and perform now and do what I enjoy doing. I have just got to grab this opportunity with both hands.”