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Boxing

Former middleweight champion 'more than happy' to make Nathan Heaney fight

Former middleweight champion 'more than happy' to make Nathan Heaney fightEd Mullholland/Matchroom
There could be another big title fight this year.

Denzel Bentley is looking for a rematch with British middleweight champion Nathan Heaney.

Bentley went into the fight as the beltholder back in November, but an exceptional performance from the challenger earned him the strap.

Heaney fought last weekend against Brad Pauls, securing a draw and thus retaining the belt, and there have been suggestions that given the exciting nature of that fight, the pair could run it back this June. 

Bentley is looking ahead to a new fight, he told BoxingScene.com.

“You don’t need to call it a return, just a continuation,” he said.

“I want to come back at the same level. I can’t go above that because I fell short in that fight. I don’t wanna have any comeback fights or warm-up fights or that kind of stuff. I just wanna get straight back in there.

“I will have a proper fight or you might not see the return – or the continuation – of the story of Denzel Bentley.”

His opponent on May 11 is set to be against Danny Dignum, and the 29-year-old is enjoying his preparation.

“I’m enjoying life right now – I’m chilling, enjoying family time and in the gym training,” he added. “Whatever comes, I’m ready. There is something there but you’ve got to wait for finalisations and announcements. It’ll be a good fight so I’m hoping everyone will enjoy it. It’s a fight that’s gonna get me up for it.”

Discussing a potential rematch against Bentley, he said he would be keen to get it done.

He said: “I wasn’t thinking, ‘Let me at him’. That’s done. What’s in the past is in the past. If I can get a rematch, I’d be more than happy. But if I don’t, I’ve gotta continue my career. I can’t be down forever because of one slip-up or mistake in the past.”

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