Denzel Bentley: “If I don’t get the Nathan Heaney rematch I don’t want to compete at British level again”

Having given account of himself in opposition to the world’s greatest middleweight Janibek Alimkhanuly in November 2022 the future regarded brilliant for Denzel Bentley.

However, a one-round blowout of Kieran Smith final April was adopted by a struggle – and third defence of his British title – in opposition to Nathan Heaney in November, which ended up being the Boxing News Upset of the Year.

Bentley spoke to Boxing News about that loss, as properly what it means to change into a father for the first time. He additionally provides his ideas on one-time potential opponent Hamzah Sheeraz dealing with Liam Williams subsequent month.

Interview by Shaun Brown

BN: How have you ever been since the defeat to Nathan Heaney?

DB: It’s been up and down. The first week or two had been horrible having to cope with it. I had a son earlier than the struggle so I lastly get to spend a while with him. He spent the first 9 to 10 days in hospital as a result of he was untimely. When he got here out, I requested my woman to go to her mum’s so I may concentrate on the struggle. It was mentally draining for me going into that struggle. But I’ve managed to spend a while with him and haven’t actually been considering an excessive amount of about the loss as a result of I’ve been spending time with my son. It’s a brand new expertise for me.

BN: How are you discovering fatherhood?

DB: Interesting. It’s good; I’m having fun with it. Knowing I’m somebody’s dad now… anybody that is aware of me, in a taking part in means, is aware of I’m certainly one of the most immature out of my buddies (laughs). Everyone saved saying, “Karma’s going to get back to you,” and I’ll get a son as annoying as I am. I’m sleeping by way of all the cries late at night time so I’m not likely being too disturbed. I guess I’m simply that drained. The missus will get upset each time. I get up and I’m like, “You slept well?” And she’s like, “You think so?”

BN: Have you watched the struggle again? 

DB: No and I’m not going to. I watched the highlights, that’s about it. I know what was occurring in the struggle. I was mentally drained. I couldn’t swap the gears. I wasn’t setting something up. I saved strolling ahead considering I’m going to land however didn’t have the capability to take into consideration my work. In that sense I guess I neglected him by considering I can beat him on my worse day, which I nonetheless suppose I can, however after all he beat me on my worse day, and he was at his best possible.

Like I stated, there was quite a bit occurring: my son was untimely and I was serving to my missus as a result of she had an emergency caesarean. I was backwards and forwards to the hospital and, when I lastly get a while to myself, all I may take into consideration was my boy. Now, I really feel mentally free. I’m doing what I want to do. I’m seeing my boy, I’m chilling, I’m enjoyable. I’m again in the gymnasium as properly.

I want I had this time earlier than the struggle to spend a while with my boy, however that’s not the means the cookie crumbled, and I have to cope with it. He weren’t due till after the struggle however he got here 5 and a half weeks early. That’s life [and] you’ve received to cope with it. I didn’t want to say that on the night time as a result of it might seem to be I’m making excuses. I needed Heaney to take pleasure in his win. It’s nonetheless not excuses but it surely’s what was occurring and I determined to get in the ring. I’ve received to cope with the consequence.

BN: Are you now achieved 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. I’d want it with me being in a a lot better state of mind. If I don’t get the rematch, I don’t actually want to compete at British level once more. I realize it’s going to be arduous to transfer on and take one other route, but when I can get the rematch then 150% [I’d take it]. If not, I’d relatively take one other route. Try and get myself at the next level.

BN: A struggle between you and Tyler Denny for the European title could be a cracker for my part.

DB: One hundred per cent. That’s a struggle I’d absorb a heartbeat. I’d go over to Sky for that as properly. I wouldn’t even attempt to get him over right here [to TNT Sports]. He’s the champion. I’ve by no means shied away from a struggle and there’s one thing large on this struggle. Most undoubtedly I’d love that struggle. Whether he desires to take it or not, or he feels no as a result of he by no means received a shot at me when I was British champion… I don’t know we’d have to see. But that’s a struggle I’m undoubtedly up for if he desires.

BN: What’s your prediction for the Hamzah Sheeraz-Liam Williams struggle on February 10?

DB: Williams regarded good in his final struggle, but it surely wasn’t in opposition to anyone. Hamzah’s been progressing properly. When the struggle was meant to be in December, I thought Hamzah would win however then I noticed Liam Williams and he regarded good. His previous few fights earlier than that he hasn’t regarded too good. If he’s again to his regular self, it’ll be struggle however I’m nonetheless going to aspect with Hamzah. I suppose he wins that.

BN: Is a struggle in opposition to Hamzah nonetheless in your thoughts?

DB: It’s nonetheless a struggle I would really like. He could not see the level in it anymore [but] I’m relentless. I’m going to hold coming, I’m going to hold pushing ahead. I will make a comeback and I will probably be again in place and hopefully we are able to get that struggle on down the line even when he doesn’t beat Williams. It’s nonetheless a struggle that’d curiosity me. It’s struggle, it’s an thrilling struggle, and I want thrilling fights and large nights.