Denzel Bentley watched Conor Benn get demolished in two rounds by Ryan Garcia and still sees him as worthy of a WBO middleweight title opportunity. Not worthy on merit, admittedly. Worthy because Benn’s name might finally bring Bentley a large payday.
“Although the public might not think he deserves another world title shot, in my eyes I feel like his profile is big enough for him to skip the queue,” Bentley told Sky Sports. “It’s unfair, but that’s the sport we’re in. Obviously it’s beneficial for me, especially financially, so 100 percent that’s the fight I would take.”
At least Bentley is honest. He is not pretending Benn earned a championship fight by beating a top middleweight. Benn has never defeated one. His two fights at 160 pounds came against a faded Chris Eubank Jr., and his return to 147 ended with Ryan flattening him in the second round.
Bentley first offered Benn the opportunity before the Garcia fight. Keeping it available after the knockout shows how badly he wants a commercially useful opponent. The problem is that Bentley already has WBO business waiting. Yoenli Hernandez has been installed as his mandatory challenger, with negotiations ordered. The Cuban brings far less money than Benn but carries the amateur pedigree and punching power that make him a serious threat.
The WBO would have to approve Benn jumping directly over Hernandez. If it refuses, Bentley may have to face his mandatory, negotiate step-aside money, or surrender the belt he hopes to use as bait. Bentley also advised Benn to rest and recover from the strain of making 147. That part makes sense. The proposed remedy does not. Moving directly to 160 would remove the draining cut, but it would place Benn opposite a natural middleweight with 18 knockouts.
A fighter who has just suffered a violent stoppage does not automatically become safer by adding 13 pounds and facing a larger puncher. Bentley may also be overestimating Benn’s remaining commercial power. Benn’s appeal rested heavily on aggression, menace, and the family name.
Ryan stripped away much of that image in less than two rounds. A Bentley fight would now be sold as Benn’s attempt to rescue his career, not as the arrival of an irresistible attraction. Bentley wants the name, but after what Ryan did, he may be chasing a payday that is already shrinking.
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Last Updated on 2026/09/16 at 2:57 AM
