THE RESULT: Denzel Bentley scored a thumping second-round knockout over Danny Dignum in the York Hall, Bethnal Green. The contest was waved off at 2-53 of the second after Dignum tasted the canvas for a third time.
Bentley picked up the vacant WBO International middleweight title for his troubles. More importantly, it is a route back towards world championship action.
KEY MOMENTS: It was all about the second (and final) round. Once Bentley found his right hand to the body, he used that shot to floor Dignum heavily on two occasions. Expecting the same punch, Danny’s left dropped as Bentley swiped home a finishing right to the head.
Dignum also suffered a bad cut to his left eye, although that was the least of his worries as referee John Latham and Dignum’s trainer Eddie Lam combined to end his evening.
RECORDS: Heavy-handed Bentley improves to 19-3-1, 16 KOs, while Dignum falls to 16-2-1, 9 KOs.
TALKING POINTS: Bentley found his range early and won the footwork battle. Talking about possible retirement if he lost, Dignum boxed like a man devoid of confidence.
Nathan Heaney was sitting ringside to witness the action. The Stoke fighter upset Bentley back in November 2023 and promoter George Warren has his sights set on a future rematch (see quotable below).
QUOTABLE: “I told you don’t call it a comeback!” said Bentley on the ring apron. “You saw with me no distractions. Life’s going well. [I want] more straps, I want to go all the way to the top. You can’t hold me back. I want something and I’m not going to stop until I get it.”
Seeking redemption as a man and as a boxer, Bentley explained how issues in his family life led to the subpar Heaney display.
George Warren added: “Naturally, I’d love to see that fight again eventually. Denzel’s going to be fighting regularly.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: This was a good matchup, considering their previous spars and respective performances against Janibek Alimkhanuly. Dignum mentioned retirement during the week should he lose the contest, which he did. The southpaw was understandably rusty and will assess his options.
As TNT Sports commentator Paul Dempsey suggested, Bentley restored his reputation as British, European and potentially world-class. That is a fair assessment.
SUPPORTING CAST: Ryan Garner (15-0, 8 KOs) survived a bad cut to outlast brave Liam Dillon (13-2-1, 3 KOs) by scores of 98-93, 99-92 and 98-92.
Nathaniel Collins (15-0, 7KOs) defeated Francesco Grandelli (18-3-2, 4KOs) by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 (twice) to take Grandelli’s EBU Silver featherweight.
Archie Sharp (25-0, 9KOs) overcame a rough opening round to claim a 77-73 win over Reuquen Cona Facundo Arce (17-15-2, 7 KOs).
Royston Barney-Smith (10-0, 5 KOs) defeated Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira (6-9, 5 KOs) by a score of 79-73.
‘The Norfolk Nightmare’ Tommy Fletcher (8-0, 6 KOs) opened the televised portion with a 60-54 win over Viktar Chvarkou (5-13, 3 KOs).
