Blocking the Noise – Denzel Bentley has opened up about a “threat” from Danny Dignum

DENZEL BENTLEY admits he can find it difficult to stay motivated with the battle he is expected to win.

Distractions, or as he describes it, “outside noise” can get into his head and divert his attention from the task at hand. Against Nathan Heaney in November Bentley was expected to defend his British middleweight title and put an end to Heaney's underdog story.

At the main event at the Manchester Arena, after the likes of Nick Ball, Liam Davies, Harry Scarff, Nathaniel Collins, and Solomon Dacres all ran a successful business in the ring, Heaney caused the biggest shock of the night and year. The underdog snatched away from Bentley and eventually won a well-deserved decision to take the Lonsdale belt.

Bentley, 18-3-1 (15 KOs), didn't want to make excuses when he spoke with. Debate News a few weeks after the loss but he believed that his wife's pregnancy and the premature birth of his first child disrupted his preparations.

At that time he said, “I didn't want to say that at night because it seemed like I was making an excuse. I wanted Heaney to enjoy his win. It's still not an excuse but this is what was happening and I decided to get in the ring. I have to face the consequences.”

Four months later, Bentley faces Essex middleweight Danny Dignum, 16-1-1 (9 KOs), on Saturday night (May 11) at York Hall. Two years ago, the two men faced “Qazaq Style” Zhanibek Alimkhanuly for six months in Las Vegas. Dignum was in over his head in May 2022, taking two rounds, but Bentley went the distance and in that time proved his worth as a world title contender.

“If I go to the next fight and I don't win that, what's my excuse,” Bentley laughed.

The 29-year-old suspect first spoke to him BN about his experience last week with the Steel Warriors, an anti-piracy organization, but graciously gave up more time to talk about Dignum's headline fight on Saturday's fight night on TNT Sports.

“I have to understand,” he said.

“If I don't play next time, I shouldn't be in the ring. But I feel good about this. Danny Dignum is a good fighter. In my opinion he is a better fighter than Nathan [Heaney]. I'm happy to make a statement and get back to where I was because I was in good shape before that [loss], and I let Nathan take that from me. That stung me a bit. I know that feeling and I don't want it again. I need to do well and get back to where I was and move forward.”

“He's a good boxer, very skilled,” Bentley said of Dignum.

“He's a southpaw, he's got good straight shots, he's got good shot selection and he's only lost once. He is a good fighter. I tell people that this is not a comeback fight. This is the fight I would have had after Heaney if I hadn't been able to get the world title. This is a real competitive battle.

“I know we haven't seen Dignum for a while and he hasn't been playing, but I know he stays in the gym because I know where he trains. And I know in that gym they are always active. I don't expect it to rust. I am waiting for a good version of him. I'm excited about this fight, I'm really excited, I can't express how much.”

Like many boxing fans, Bentley enjoys spending time in the sport where the best fights are fought. Undefeated records are not wrapped in protective gear because more and more fighters are willing to lose, knowing that it is not the end of their career. The financial injection from Saudi Arabia may have made the risk easier to swallow but let's not forget that boxing is also about fighting for prizes.

“That's the stage we're in,” Bentley said.

“Good players take good fights and lose so the undefeated stuff goes out the window. They see if you take the right fights, you get paid the right money. We are in a good phase of boxing because we are seeing good fights now.

“The important thing in boxing is if you fight well and do well, people will want to see you again no matter what. It's a game, a competition. You're allowed to fail in the competition, that's how you come back.

“I'm a competitive person,” he added. “If I fight someone who is not at my level, it is difficult to stand up to him. Sometimes I'm good at blocking out outside noise if the work I'm doing is bigger than what's going on. If you are fighting with someone who doesn't see that he is as good as you or is not on your level, sometimes the outside noise can get inside, ignore him. I know you're supposed to be professional, but that's human nature.

“Right now, Danny Dignum is dangerous and he can take something away from me. With all the external noise that is blasting, it's easy for me to block it out because I have the power. There is a threat in front of me and I have to focus.”