Battersea’s Denzel Bentley wants fresh challenge after successful defence of British middleweight title

Denzel Bentley is looking to move away from defences of his British middleweight title after his fourth-round stoppage of Marcus Morrison.

The two-time domestic champion moved his record to 17-1-1 (14KOs) with an impressive display at Bethnal Green’s York Hall a week ago.

Battersea’s Bentley, 27, has won three bouts since being outclassed by Felix Cash in April 2021.

“I’m in the gym killing myself every day to be at that next level,” said the South Londoner.

“I want to move on to European and world level. If I can move straight to world level that would be great, but if I’ve got to take the steps necessary then I will do.

“I’ve won this title twice and defended it twice, I think I’ve solidified my position on the domestic scene – I do want to see what else is out there.

“He [Morrison] was a tough guy and he had never been stopped at super-middle. I’m happy I’m the first guy to stop him.

“We knew he was going to come fast, we know every fighter is going to look at Felix Cash as a blueprint but we’ve been in the gym preparing for that.

“I’ve grown a lot. Before the Cash loss I felt I was doing everything I could – after the Cash loss I realised I could do even more.

“Every boxer’s aspiration is to be a world champion. I know I can’t achieve that by doing the bare minimum. I’ve got to get rid of guys like Marcus Morrison, putting on a good show and excelling in my training every time I step in the gym.”

Bentley’s promoter Frank Warren is keen on matching him against Ilford’s unbeaten Hamzah Sheeraz (16-0).

“He [Bentley] wants to step up and I get that,” said Warren. “We’ll look at that scenario and see what we can do, but him and Hamza next year is going to be a massive, massive fight.

“If they both keep winning we’ll turn that into a monster.”

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