For the first time in a long time, Denzel Bentley is feeling content over his future in boxing.
A new deal with Zuffa Boxing means he is no longer living his career waiting at the end of the phone. And after a frustrating period not knowing what is next, he believes there is a clear plan in place for him to rule the middleweight division.
At the start of October, the Battersea middleweight became the latest Briton to sign terms with Zuffa, Dana White’s promotion looking to force its way into the UK scene having already recruited Conor Benn, Chris Billam-Smith, Cheavon Clarke and Johnny Fisher.
Bentley is the reigning WBO champion, winning the interim title after beating Endry Saavedra in April before being elevated to full champion in July after Janibek Alimkhanuly relinquished the belt.
Even with the world title in his possession, he felt uncertain over his future, prompting the move to part ways with Frank Warren after eight years with Queensberry Promotions. In stepped Zuffa with Bentley set to make his debut for the promotion against Shane Mosley Jr on 7 November at the Copper Box.
With a young son back home, security in a sport that can so often leave its athletes cut adrift became a bigger priority than ever.
‘It’s been frustrating, it’s been tough,’ Bentley told Metro. ‘But I’ve finally got some direction and some guidance allowing me to move forward. Just sitting there and not knowing what is next is a hard position to be in, so I’m happy I know what I’m doing again.
‘They [Zuffa] showed me a bunch of fights they can make and a bunch of fighters they are in discussions with. There’s a lot of exciting fights to be made and this [against Mosley Jr] is one of them. We won’t be waiting around either, it will be going back to back as well. Once we are done with this fight, we will already know when we are looking at next and that allows me to live my life too.
‘I need to spend time with my family, go on holiday, do the things that make all this worth it then come back and get straight to work. Whereas before, I’ve never known when I would be out [fighting] next. I would be staying in the gym, waiting for a date. I wouldn’t be getting the time to plan my life around my career. I always had to be ready in case the phone rings and I don’t have to live like that anymore. I have control for the first time.’
Bentley’s status as WBO champion is in limbo somewhat. He was ordered to defend the belt against mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez but he is committed to fighting Mosley Jr in November. Mosley Jr, the son of former ring great Shane Mosley, is ranked no6 with the WBO and is a legitimate title contender with Bentley and his team confident he has the right to make a voluntary defence of the belt against Mosley instead of being forced into the Hernandez bout.
While there is still a possibility he could be stripped or forced to vacate the belt, he and his team feel they have a strong case to ensure he enters the Copper Box next month with gold still around his waist. If the Hernandez fight must follow, it is one he is ready for. ‘If we get through this appeal and I manage to keep my title and defend it against Shane Mosley Jr, I am happy to fulfil my obligation and fight against him,’ Bentley said. ‘That’s not an issue.’
Focus is solely on Mosley for now. But beyond that, there is the compelling possibility of a England vs Ireland showdown with Aaron McKenna, another star recruited by Zuffa who won the IBF middleweight title in August.
‘I told Zuffa if I’m coming to you as world champion, I don’t want any warm up fights, I want to get straight into it,’ Bentley said. ‘We wanted Aaron McKenna first but hopefully we can get that fight at some point next year.’
There is also history with Hamzah Sheeraz. Sheeraz and Bentley have circled each other for a number of years and were on collision course for the British title in 2023. But there could be bigger prizes at stake if they do eventually meet in the ring.
Sheeraz is another who has spent a number of years being promoted by Frank Warren but revealed earlier this year he will explore a move to Zuffa when his deal expires.
The Ilford fighter moved up to super-middleweight last year but Bentley has plans to follow him up to ensure the all-British tear up doesn’t pass us by again.
‘The weight would not be an issue. I’ll move up for that fight,’ Bentley said confidently. ‘I wouldn’t move up for the sake of it but there are some really good fights there. And when I move up, I will stay up.’