DenzelBentley

"2 Sharp"

WBO International Middleweight Champion, Former World Title Challenger

DENZEL BENTLEY IS now right back in the hunt for a WBO world title shot following on from his heroic display against the avoided champion Janibek Alimkhanuly in November 2022 over in Las Vegas.

Bentley pushed the fearsome Kazakh all the way and, had he taken the fight to the champion earlier, he might not have ultimately suffered a defeat on points.

Then the proud owner of the British title belt for the second time following his defeat of the unbeaten Linus Udofia, Bentley enjoyed a successful first defence with a resounding victory over Marcus Morrison before heading to Las Vegas less than three months later to take on Alimkhanuly.

The Londoner was devastated when he lost his British title inside three rounds against Commonwealth champion Felix Cash in April 2021.

Although it was a pick ‘em fight, Bentley never got going and he remains hell bent on revenge against his bitter British rival.

Promoter Frank Warren continues in backing Bentley to have a huge future and the middleweight is now off and running once more.

Bentley won the British crown in impressive fashion in November 2020 when he overwhelmed Mark Heffron in a rematch.

Although Heffron was pulled by his corner after round four because of a swollen left eye, Bentley’s punches caused the damage and he appeared to have the upper hand against his Mancunian rival.

When they had met two months earlier there had been nothing to separate the pair. All three judges’ scored the bout 95-95.

Warren moved to sign Bentley after his seventh fight when he stepped in at four hours notice and stopped 2021 Olympian Serge Ambomo in November 2018.

He quickly impressed over the next six months knocking out Emmanuel Moussinga and Julio Cesar before Pavol Garaj was outpointed.

In September 2019 he moved up a level in a supposed 50-50 fight against unbeaten Kelcie Ball and blew away his rival inside a round.

Bentley has been a pro since October 2017 when he kicked off his paid career with a first round stoppage of Casey Blair.

Bentley made a further, spectacular defence of his British title against the Scot Kieran Smith at the Copper Box Arena in April 2023, knocking out his opponent with just 45 seconds on the clock.

But then he suffered a shock reverse in the November 18 defending his British title against the undefeated Nathan Heaney in Manchester.

Stunning second round knockouts of both Danny Dignum and Derrick Osaze this year have put Bentley right back on the road towards world title contention.