Tysie Gallagher has set her sights firmly on a world title shot after making a winning debut for Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions in Birmingham.
The Luton boxer returned to the ring after 11 months away to edge out previously unbeaten American Brandi Robinson by a 77-75 points decision in their eight-round super-bantamweight contest on the preliminary card at the Utilita Arena.
Gallagher, who holds the British, Commonwealth and WBO International titles, admitted after the scrappy contest that she was not satisfied with her performance but insisted she will be better for the experience following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, which included surgery on her elbow.
“I’m not particularly um happy about my performance there. I couldn’t really get going, but it’s my first one back. No excuses, got the win, so I’m grateful and I’m grateful for my team. But I’ll be back 100 per cent next time,” she told Sky Sports.
It was Gallagher’s first fight since September 2025 and her first since undergoing surgery to reattach the UCL in her elbow.
She had been scheduled to make her MVP debut six months ago but the injury forced her out of the promotion’s UK launch card in London.
Now, having finally got her first fight under the MVP banner, Gallagher has wasted little time making her ambitions clear.
“Next, I want to just see what happens with the super bantamweight division. There’s a lot of world titles getting fought for and I want to fight the winners.”
The 28-year-old’s professional record now stands at 11-2, with her only previous world title challenge coming against Segolene Lefebvre for the WBO crown in November 2023.
Gallagher currently sits fifth in the IBF super-bantamweight rankings and with world titles set to be contested across the division, the Luton fighter believes her opportunity to become a world champion could be approaching.
That ambition was already clear before Saturday night, when Gallagher spoke about the excitement surrounding the next stage of her career after a year of setbacks.
“Yeah, definitely. This is the biggest biggest stage, but after the year or so I’ve had, there’s just I’ve just let go of every pressure in every aspect of my life. I never put pressure on myself and I’m just going to go out there, enjoy it and when I do that I perform the best,” she said in the pre-fight press conference.
Gallagher also spoke about the setbacks – which included the tragic murder of her mother-in-law – that had interrupted her progress and her belief that the MVP deal can provide the platform to fulfil her potential.
“There’s been glimpses here and there,” she said prior to the fight, adding: |And just as it was going to take off, obviously we had a couple of setbacks. So, I’m so excited and appreciate the opportunity um that I’ve been given. And yeah, now it’s the start of showing everyone, the world, and myself exactly what I can go and do. And I believe I’m going to the top with the super bantamweight division. I’m going to take over.”
And while Gallagher is now looking towards world title fights, she is equally determined to bring one back to her home town, where last week she was introduced to the Luton Town FC fans at Kenilworth Road alongside gym parter and fellow super bantamweight boxer Frankie Storey, who himself has a title shot on the horizon.
“Luton, that’s where I’m from and that’s where the community back me so much and to go on the pitch last week and get celebrated. Everyone’s behind me and I can’t wait to bring this back to Luton and bring a world back world title back to Luton,” Gallagher said.
The First Lady was one of two Luton professional boxers celebrating a victory on Saturday night.
While she was competing in Birmingham, middleweight Sam King continued his unbeaten start to his professional career with victory over Jack Swallow in his seventh fight.
King was on the undercard of the Moses Itauma versus Filip Hrgovic IBF world heavyweight title fight at the O2 Arena in London and afterwards paid tribute to those who had backed him.
“Firstly I’d like to thank everyone who came out, watched from home and messaged me – what great support we have,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Big thank you to my team @thepeacockgymnasium, @queensberrypromotions and @frank_warren_official another upwards step in my career and I’m excited for what’s next”.
And there is no let-up for Luton’s boxing talent, with Storey next in action. The Farley Hill fighter heads to Paisley, Scotland, at the weekend to challenge Daryl Arbuckle for the British super-bantamweight title, giving Luton another potential championship success to celebrate.
For Gallagher, though, the focus is already on what could be next after finally getting back between the ropes.
Her MVP journey has started with a win, and with the super-bantamweight world title picture opening up, the Luton champion is determined to make sure her next chapter is considerably bigger.
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