How does it feel to be British champion?
“It feels great, it feels great. My first title as a professional and it’s the British title. It’s crazy. It’s crazy. It’s crazy.”
The repetition was understandable because the adrenaline was still flowing, and his happiness could be described as the kid who got what he wanted on Christmas day. But Christmas came just a few days ago for Denzel Bentley and his present was the British middleweight title.
After just 15 fights the 25-year-old achieved something he thought wouldn’t arrive until next year. However, a rematch with Mark Heffron just nine weeks after their closely fought 10-round draw in September gave each man the opportunity to fight for the Lonsdale belt which had been vacated by Liam Williams.
While their first fight had many split on who won, their rematch had a completely different finish. A jab to Heffron’s body began proceedings but a clattering right hand from Bentley in round two brought about Heffron’s downfall forcing him to be pulled out at the end of the fourth round such was the damage to his swollen left eye
‘I’ll tell you what this could be over,” said BT Sport’s co-commentator Richie Woodhall as Heffron’s cutman and manager Kevin Maree did all he could to repair the irreparable damage as trainer Michael Jennings looked on. Seconds later referee Steve Gray waved off the contest. Heffron could not continue. Roars of rejoice came from the opposite corner. The night belonged to Bentley.
“I just kept saying to myself I’m the champ. I’m actually the champ,” Bentley (14-0-1, 12 KOs) told Boxing Social describing the moments when ring announcer Thomas Treiber declared him the winner.
“I never won a national title as an amateur. I had never won a title as a professional. It’s my first real title. I’m actually the champ. It’s a whole new feeling and I kept repeating to myself and thinking to myself I’m the champ, I’m actually the champ. People yell champ to fighters, but this actually means something. It’s crazy.”
Bentley described his new possession as heavy but beautiful. And just as he had said in a post-fight interview, he did take the Lonsdale belt to bed with him!
Being a British champion hadn’t sunk in yet for Bentley when Social spoke to him 48 hours after his victory. The Londoner has been blown away by the response of family and friends. The history of the oldest championship belt in professional boxing isn’t lost on Bentley either. But what of the rematch with Heffron?
Their first bout on the judges scorecards was 95-95 across the board. Fans had their pick and it seemed to be that old cliché of what you like. More of the same was expected on Friday night. It wasn’t the case, but Bentley did notice improvements in his work despite the limited time he got to show it.
“I felt so comfortable,” he said. “The main thing is I felt so comfortable and felt so relaxed. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I just knew what I wanted to do, and I done it when I wanted to do it. I was relaxed, comfortable, didn’t feel no pressure. I was letting my shots go, I felt sharp and my movement was just a lot better this time… I say that but I was moving when I needed to. I wasn’t just moving for the sake of moving.”
The elation and joy are a far cry from Bentley’s feelings in the aftermath of the first fight against Heffron. Bentley admits he didn’t accept the result at first and he had to take a bit of time to get over it.
“Everyone kept saying I won or thought I won, and it was becoming more annoying,” he recalled. “I was waiting for someone I knew, someone close to me to come and tell me no I think you lost. Some said I let the fight go but they still didn’t think I lost. It was either a draw or I won but no-one said I lost. If they came and said you lost, I’d be like alright, cool now I can take it as a loss. I watched it back a few times and I couldn’t see what they were scoring for this guy. I was so baffled by that. I think I outboxed him. So many things baffled me. After a while I managed to get over it.”
He continued: “When the rematch was made, I told myself it’s done now. The rematch is on. Before that, in my head you’re thinking that perfect [unbeaten] record is gone. If I felt like it was a draw or thought I really lost, then I’d have been able to accept it more. I was a bit annoyed because I felt like I deserved to be 14-0 at the time but it was a blessing in disguise because if I got the decision with that one I probably wouldn’t be British champion today.”
Bentley will now jet off to Ghana to spend time with family. A time for relaxation and reflection before returning to London and getting back to the graft and his craft. 2021 presents a different challenge for him. He now has something that the likes of rivals Felix Cash, Marcus Morrison, Danny Dignum, Linus Udofia and others want.
“When I get back, I’ll be straight back to the gym because there’s a target on my back now. People are going to want a shot at me. I have to make sure I’m ready, I can’t just wait till there’s a fight and then start getting prepared because I’ll be playing catch-up. I’ve got to keep myself in shape so I’m not playing catch-up. I’ll continue learning in the gym, being in shape and prepare what I need to prepare for.”
The plan for Bentley had been to end 2020 on a high with 2021’s objectives to win the British title and win it outright. He is ahead of schedule. He has the belt. The plan though remains to have it for keeps unless other opportunity knocks.
“The mindset is still the same,” he said.
“If other opportunities come knocking then I’m in a good position. I feel like winning it outright by fighting three times would allow me to gain a little more experience in championships fights so I have the experience that I lacked in the amateurs. I’ve done two ten-rounders and had my first 12-rounder so there’s no rush but if opportunities do come, I will be ready. I feel like I’m always mentally prepared and physically in shape. I love a challenge and I’m keeping the division interesting!”