Having given a good account of himself against the worldโs best middleweight Janibek Alimkhanuly in November 2022 the future looked bright for Denzel Bentley.
However, a one-round blowout of Kieran Smith last April was followed by a fight – and third defence of his British title – against Nathan Heaney in November, which ended up being the Boxing News Upset of the Year.
Bentley spoke to Boxing News about that loss, as well what it means to become a father for the first time. He also gives his thoughts on one-time potential opponent Hamzah Sheeraz facing Liam Williams next month.
Interview by Shaun Brown
BN: How have you been since the defeat to Nathan Heaney?
DB: Itโs been up and down. The first week or two were horrible having to deal with it. I had a son before the fight so I finally get to spend some time with him. He spent the first nine to 10 days in hospital because he was premature. When he came out, I asked my girl to go to her mumโs so I could focus on the fight. It was mentally draining for me going into that fight. But Iโve managed to spend some time with him and havenโt really been thinking too much about the loss because Iโve been spending time with my son. Itโs a new experience for me.
BN: How are you finding fatherhood?
DB: Interesting. Itโs good; Iโm enjoying it. Knowing Iโm someoneโs dad now… anyone that knows me, in a playing way, knows Iโm one of the most immature out of my friends (laughs). Everyone kept saying, โKarmaโs going to get back to you,โ and Iโll get a son as annoying as I am. Iโm sleeping through all the cries late at night so Iโm not really being too disturbed. I guess Iโm just that tired. The missus gets upset every time. I wake up and Iโm like, โYou slept well?โ And sheโs like, โYou think so?โ
BN: Have you watched the fight back?ย
DB: No and Iโm not going to. I watched the highlights, thatโs about it. I know what was going on in the fight. I was mentally drained. I couldnโt switch the gears. I wasnโt setting anything up. I kept walking forward thinking Iโm going to land but didnโt have the capacity to think about my work. In that sense I guess I overlooked him by thinking I can beat him on my worse day, which I still think I can, but of course he beat me on my worse day, and he was at his very best.
Like I said, there was a lot going on: my son was premature and I was helping my missus because she had an emergency caesarean. I was back and forth to the hospital and, when I finally get some time to myself, all I could think about was my boy. Now, I feel mentally free. Iโm doing what I want to do. Iโm seeing my boy, Iโm chilling, Iโm relaxing. Iโm back in the gym as well.
I wish I had this time before the fight to spend some time with my boy, but thatโs not the way the cookie crumbled, and I have to deal with it. He werenโt due until after the fight but he came five and a half weeks early. Thatโs life [and] youโve got to deal with it. I didnโt want to say that on the night because it would seem like Iโm making excuses. I wanted Heaney to enjoy his win. Itโs still not excuses but itโs what was going on and I decided to get in the ring. Iโve got to deal with the outcome.
BN: Are you now done with the British title scene, or do you want a rematch with Heaney?
DB: If I can get a rematch, then I would love a rematch. Iโd want it with me being in a much better frame of mind. If I donโt get the rematch, I donโt really want to compete at British level again. I know itโs going to be hard to move on and take another direction, but if I can get the rematch then 150% [Iโd take it]. If not, Iโd rather take another direction. Try and get myself at a higher level.
BN: A fight between you and Tyler Denny for the European title would be a cracker in my opinion.
DB: One hundred per cent. Thatโs a fight Iโd take in a heartbeat. Iโd go over to Sky for that as well. I wouldnโt even try and get him over here [to TNT Sports]. Heโs the champion. Iโve never shied away from a fight and thereโs something big in this fight. Most definitely Iโd love that fight. Whether he wants to take it or not, or he feels no because he never got a shot at me when I was British championโฆ I donโt know weโd have to see. But thatโs a fight Iโm definitely up for if he wants.
BN: Whatโs your prediction for the Hamzah Sheeraz-Liam Williams fight on February 10?
DB: Williams looked good in his last fight, but it wasnโt against anybody. Hamzahโs been progressing well. When the fight was meant to be in December, I thought Hamzah would win but then I saw Liam Williams and he looked good. His last few fights before that he hasnโt looked too good. If heโs back to his normal self, itโll be a good fight but Iโm still going to side with Hamzah. I think he wins that.
BN: Is a fight against Hamzah still on your mind?
DB: Itโs still a fight I would like. He may not see the point in it anymore [but] Iโm relentless. Iโm going to keep coming, Iโm going to keep pushing forward. I will make a comeback and I will be back in position and hopefully we can get that fight on down the line even if he doesnโt beat Williams. Itโs still a fight thatโd interest me. Itโs a good fight, itโs an exciting fight, and I want exciting fights and big nights.