Home Columns Mark Heffron vs Denzel Bentley – Results & Post-Fight Report

Mark Heffron vs Denzel Bentley – Results & Post-Fight Report

Bentley crowned British Middleweight champion

Denzel Bentley was crowned the new British Middleweight champion with victory over Mark Heffron at BT Sport Studios on Friday Photo Credit: Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions
Denzel Bentley was crowned the new British Middleweight champion with victory over Mark Heffron at BT Sport Studios. Photo Credit: Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

Denzel Bentley forced Mark Heffron to retire on his stool before the fifth round with a severely damaged eye, as he claimed the vacant British Middleweight title at the BT Studios in London.

Their original meeting in September was a three-way draw that was scored identically, so another close fight was expected here.

The pair were cautious in the early going, with Heffron keen to establish his jab, and he did land an overhand right that caught the eye with Bentley’s best work coming towards the end of the round.

The 25-year-old grew in confidence, and got through with multiple shots in the second, following a right hand that buzzed Heffron, whose left eye was severely swollen as a result of the volume of punches getting through.

The Oldham man was struggling to see where the punches were coming from with his eye half closed, and Bentley (14-0-1, 12 KOs) continued to land time after time, with his right hand to inflict further damage to his rival.

Every time Heffron (25-2-1, 19 KOs) would look to attack, the Londoner would counter to better effect, and a one-two in the fourth stunned Heffron again, right on the stricken eye.

Bentley opened up a gruesome looking eye injury as a result of sharp combinations Photo Credit: Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions
Bentley opened up a gruesome looking eye injury as a result of sharp combinations Photo Credit: Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

The 28-year-old to his credit did try to get on the front foot in an attempt to get a foothold, but the damage to his eye had worsened still, and was nearly fully closed, as his corner wisely decided to withdraw their man from battle ahead of the fifth round.

“It feels great. It’s my first title, and I’m following in the footsteps of some great Fisher (ABC) boys in Terry Downes, Lloyd Honeyghan and Ted Cheeseman as British champions,” Bentley told BT Sport post-fight.

Bentley celebrates after winning the Lonsdale belt and winning his rematch with Heffron Photo Credit: Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions
Bentley celebrates after winning the Lonsdale belt and winning his rematch with Heffron Photo Credit: Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

“I felt stronger and better this time in the gym.

I knew if I held my ground, I‘d be able to take him out. He’s (Heffron) a tough guy, and in the third he came at me, but I knew if I covered up I’d be ok. I took his shots and came back”.

Bentley is likely to face mandatory challenger and Commonwealth champion Felix Cash next.

The pair embrace after settling their rivalry Photo Credit: Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions
The pair embrace after settling their rivalry Photo Credit: Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

Fury viciously remains undefeated

The undercard was destroyed midweek by several withdrawals due to positive COVID-19 tests, but there were still four preliminary fights to get the go ahead.

Manchester Light Heavyweight Tommy Fury returned to the ring after a near year lay-off to score a second round knockout of Liverpool-based Lithuanian, Genadij Krajevskij, who now remains winless in a dozen contests.

A flurry of combinations stunned Krajevskij (0-12) and as Fury (4-0, 3 KOs) stepped up the pace, a lovely right uppercut, followed by three further power shots felled his opponent, with no need for a count.

Krajevskij was down for several minutes, but thankfully regained his senses, with Fury claiming a fourth professional win.

Agyarko halts Chapman

Caoimhin Agyarko remained undefeated, as he stopped Robbie Chapman in seven rounds in their Middleweight contest.

Chapman (6-6) is usually a durable opponent, and he gave the Belfast man food for thought during the contest, until the halfway mark.

Caoimhin Agyarko stopped Robbie Chapman in the seventh round Photo Credit: Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions
Caoimhin Agyarko stopped Robbie Chapman in the seventh round Photo Credit: Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) threw an overhand right that buzzed ‘The Camden Caretaker’ in the seventh, and Chapman quickly unravelled as further lefts and rights rained in.

With nothing coming back, referee Bob Williams rightly jumped in to stop the fight.

Turner trumps Newton

At Super Lightweight, Henry Turner moved to 4-0 with a six round points win over Des Newton.

Turner (4-0) stepped on the gas and pushed for a stoppage in the last couple of rounds, but Newton (8-17, 2 KOs) held firm to hear the final bell after suffering first round defeats in his last two contests.

Henry Turner impressed in picking up fourth win over Des Newton Photo Credit: Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions
Henry Turner impressed in picking up fourth win over Des Newton Photo Credit: Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

Referee Bob Williams returned a 60-54 verdict in the 20-year-old’s favour.

Burke Jr collects first stoppage

Kicking off the action on the night was Michael Burke Jr, and the 19-year-old Welterweight impressed in stopping Thomas Broadbent in two rounds.

Michael Burke Jr registered his first stoppage victory over Tommy Broadbent Photo Credit: Round 'N' Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions
Michael Burke Jr registered his first stoppage victory over Tommy Broadbent Photo Credit: Round ‘N’ Bout Media/Queensberry Promotions

A swarm of body shots broke Broadbent (8-8, 2 KOs) down and forced him to the canvas, and on the resumption, a couple of meaty overhand rights compelled the referee’s intervention as, the 33-year-old was falling for a second time to hand Burke (4-0 (1 KO) a career first early win.