EBU European, British & WBO International Middleweight champion Denzel Bentley has some big plans for 2025 – a year that could start and end with huge world title showdowns.
However, if ‘2 Sharp’ is to secure those two enormous bouts in the New Year, he’s going to need the help of the media to build the matchups – a fact he was keen to drive home after another impressive victory this past weekend.
Denzel Bentley says the media need to ‘grow a pair’ when it comes to Hamzah Sheeraz
Denzel ‘2 Sharp’ Bentley improved his pro record to 21-3-1 this past weekend, with a hard-fought but still highly impressive victory over Brad Pauls at The Magnificent 7 London.
Frank Warren previously stated that the winner would go on to face IBF and WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly in 2025, with Bentley keen to avenge his 2022 loss to the undefeated Kazakh.
“Listen, you heard the big man the other day, world title shot – Janibek, whether he vacates or keeps hold of the title, who knows, but I get my shot,” Bentley explained to media members.
“I’m going to sit and wait patiently, enjoy Christmas and early next year, we go back to work.”
The hope is that Bentley can get his revenge over Janibek next, before landing a monumental showdown with Hamzah Sheeraz in late 2025 – whilst Bentley would love to throwdown with the 21-0 champion, he needs active support from the media.
“Listen, I never hear you guys asking Hamzah to fight me, you always ask me to fight Hamzah and I always tell you yes – you guys have to push that fight, because if he feels like no one wants it, we’re never going to get it on.
“So, please, when you see him, grow a pair of balls and ask him ‘When are you going to fight Denzel?!’”
Hamzah Sheeraz has experienced a sensational rise to superstardom this year, with three consecutive knockouts over Liam Williams, Austin Williams, and Tyler Denny.
“Of course I’m going to say I’ll win,” continued Bentley, who claimed that the challenge of defeating the undefeated fuels the fire that burns within him.
“Hamzah’s a good fighter, I’m not a Hamzah hater, I appreciate the fact that he’s improved every fight and knocked out every middleweight he’s been in there with… It would be very, very interesting – but that’s why I’m looking forward to it, I like good fights.”
‘2 Sharp’ claims he’s a different animal from the one who faced Janibek in 2022
Janibek earned himself a vicious knockout win in October, which means he should be ready to rematch Bentley by the Spring of next year – although there is speculation that he could vacate the title for more meaningful matchups.
“Listen man, Frank’s the man and that’s what Frank promised. We’ve got to see what Janibek does when I get called mandatory, if he continues to be champion or vacates, but either way I get a world title shot next year.”
Should Janibek and Bentley rematch in 2025, the Kazakh will find himself in there against a ‘different beast’ to the one whom he faced before; a fighter who has “a lot more confidence” than he did in 2022.
“I mean, that was Denzel two years, that was Denzel just on pure heart and pure grit, that wasn’t a Denzel that’s experienced… I think that loss made me better.
“I’ve experienced a lot more, I’m a lot more composed in the ring, I know what I’m doing a little bit more… I don’t think he’ll be in a rush to fight me, but if he is, it’ll be a good one.”
Can Denzel Bentley secure either or both of those enormous matchups? Let’s keep an eye on ‘2 Sharp’ in 2025.