BoxRec

Press Release

BRITISH Middleweight champion Denzel Bentley will make the first defence of his title against mandatory challenger Felix Cash on Saturday April 24.

The unbeaten pair will headline a night of boxing live on BT Sport.

Queensberry Promotions won the purse bids for the fight between their man Bentley (14-0-1, 12 KOs) and Cash (13-0, 9 KOs), whose Commonwealth crown is also on the line.

Battersea’s Bentley won the title in November when Mark Heffron was retired by his corner because of a grotesquely swollen left eye and Denzel insists Cash is next to see what damage his punches can cause.

“If we’re both at our best it will be a very good fight. There will be moments when the fight will be back and forth, but I am expecting to win.” said the champion.

“If I win comfortably I will be happy. If I win a hard fight I will be happy. I will be prepared for the best version of Felix.

“I know I am stepping up to a 50-50 fight and closer to what I want to achieve in the sport.

“Felix is a decent fighter, but this is one that will take me up another level so I am ready for it.”

Cash, 27, turned professional in June 2016 and became Commonwealth champion more than two years later when he stopped Nigerian Rasheed Abolaji inside a round.

He has stopped Jack Cullen and Jason Welborn in his two defences, but is ready for the biggest fight of his professional career.

“I want my name to go in the history books of holding the British title, it’s time to show everyone in the division who’s the man,” said the Wokingham boxer.

“There’s only one way to win in my eyes and I’m coming to take him out.”

Promoter Frank W added: “I cannot wait for Denzel against Felix, Denzel is one of the hottest properties in British boxing right now. He has taken every opportunity that lockdown boxing has afforded him – he’s won fights, won titles, headlined shows and really thrived with all the extra exposure that’s come his way. He’s definitely a fighter we’re looking at moving on to the next level.

“He never turns down a challenge and is one of the easiest there is to promote. You give him a date and an opponent and he is there.

“Felix is a solid test for Denzel, but I believe at Queensberry we have the finest eye for talent in British boxing and am fully backing our man to get a decisive victory.”

Really good fight.

I’m leaning towards Cash but wouldn’t be surprised if Bentley pulled it off

From Frank W.

OUR FIGHT NIGHT diary is now filling up nicely and we have a stream of dates and announcements to be made poised in the pipeline to be delivered across the coming days and weeks.

Following on from our double-header last Friday and Saturday evening on BT Sport, we have already signposted the news that the middleweight cracker between British champion Denzel Bentley and Commonwealth champion Felix Cash will take place on Saturday April 24.

It is a domestic collision that has captured the imagination of the fight public and, to be quite honest, it is a contest that actually exceeds its title billing. These two are at least European class and I would expect both of them to move on and make a significant impact at world level.

It is a high quality match-up and opinion is naturally divided over the likely outcome. Of course I favour our man Denzel, who will be one of very few who will recall this lockdown period with any particular fondness.

After getting himself back in the swing of things on one of our ‘unlock’ shows last July with a slightly sluggish performance against Mick Hall, he quickly signed on the dotted line for a domestic showdown against the big-punching Mark Heffron.

The first fight was as compelling as it was competitive and the judges couldn’t split them at the end of 10 rounds at York Hall. They both wanted to play it again at the earliest opportunity and, this time, we were able to put the British title on the table for the winner.

Denzel was a more spiteful operator second time around and it was a peach of a shot that made Mark’s left eye balloon to the point of being unable to continue.

Now Cash presents another formidable challenge but these are the sort of fights Denzel has wanted since day one and he is now firmly planted in ‘big fights only’ territory. It will be his fourth fight in roughly nine months, so that is not bad going.

We also know that Denzel and Cash have got a bit of previous from a lively sparring session a few years back. I understand there was some afters outside of the ring so we have got a splash of old spice for the build-up.

Press Release | Callum Johnson vs Emil Markic on April 24

CALLUM JOHNSON will be back in action on April 24th after more than TWO YEARS of inactivity. The Queensberry newbie will return on the card headlined by Denzel Bentley’s defence of his British title against Felix Cash.

Johnson insists he is on course for a second world title challenge and huge domestic clashes against fellow Queensberry boxers Lyndon Arthur and Anthony Yarde, but first must shake off the ring rust as he battles experienced Bosnian, Emil Markic (32-2, 24 KO’s).

‘The One’ faces Markic for the vacant WBO Global Light-Heavyweight title over ten rounds in London on Saturday April 24, (live on BT Sport).

Boston’s Johnson who recently returned to allegedly’s stable hasn’t boxed since an impressive stoppage win against American Sean Monaghan in March 2019.

The former British and Commonwealth champion said: “I have been out for two years, but I am not bothered what level I come back at. I am a fighter at the end of the day.

“There is pressure after two years out. I just hope I remember to do it right when I get back in there. I’m sure I will.”

Johnson (18-1, 13KOs) was fearless when he challenged IBF World title holder Artur Beterbiev in October 2018. He floored the division’s main man before losing in the fourth round of a brutal war.

Callum who started his career with Warren believes the Hall of Fame promoter will get him back in the big time at home and on the global stage.

He also hopes a potential tournament featuring Commonwealth champion Arthur, Yarde and himself will be a big attraction for fans.

“I just want activity, to be in exciting fights and have a great couple of years,” Johnson added.

“I think Lyndon and Anthony are good fighters, but I believe I am the best in the country and would beat anybody.

“Do I believe I will beat them two? One million per-cent.

“Are they good fighters? Of course they are. It’s good that there are a few good fighters in our division that makes it so exciting.

“We can all fight each other. It can be like the UFC where a few fighters can fight each other and a loss doesn’t matter.

“You can get back a few months later and fight another guy so it’s exciting and something fans will like.”

Markic turned professional in June 2012 and twice won the WBO European Light-Heavyweight title, but never defended that crown after victories on the road against Denis Liebau and Kavin Gebhard.

He has won seven fights on the spin since losing to world ranked Umar Salamov in May 2017, but Johnson is unconcerned by his rival’s form.

Callum said: “People will see I have been out for a while, but I haven’t been off the scene. I have been in the gym, sparring, stayed fit and healthy.

“Until the night we won’t know, but I am not expecting to show much ring rust and to do a job on Markic.”

Headlining the behind closed doors show is Battersea’s Denzel Bentley (14-0-1, 12KOs) who makes the first defence of his British Middleweight title against mandatory challenger Felix Cash (13-0, 9 KOs), who will be risking his Commonwealth championship.

The show will also see the return to action of Queensberry starlet’s David Adeleye, George Davey, Henry Turner, James Heneghan and Karol Itauma.

Very average fight. I would have preferred him to fight the guy that fought Buatsi last - he was a real live fighter who would have beaten some decent opponents that night.

Yarde was meant to have been announced for this one too but no sign yet. I still wonder if he’s on the move as it’s been very quiet lately about him.

Nice to see George Davey confirmed after the other days dispute with Cog....

maverick23 wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 07:07 Very average fight. I would have preferred him to fight the guy that fought Buatsi last - he was a real live fighter who would have beaten some decent opponents that night.

Yarde was meant to have been announced for this one too but no sign yet. I still wonder if he’s on the move as it’s been very quiet lately about him.

I reckon Yarde will probably box on the Sunny Edwards card the following week.
If I was Warren, I would be planning to cash Him out next against Callum Johnson this summer and get him beat and off the books. It seems clear that Mr Yarde is not prepared to make the necessary changes, so there’s no point investing him anymore.

Boxers almost always fight a pasty on their first fight with a new promoter. That and the fact he’s been out the ring absolutely ages. If he gets beat against a half decent guy it would be ‘you idiot didn’t you see what happened with Warrington’ etc.

Fortunately there’s a good fight at the top of the bill so I’m fine with Johnson’s fight.

Interesting couple of weeks. I wonder if Edward will be attending to support Felix, or if he’s just sending Frank Smith..

Warren clearly isn’t going, but he must be sending Andy Ayling or one of his sons to look after Liam Williams.

Cracking fight this one- I fancy Denzel on points.

George Davey has got Jamie Stewart. Interesting matching for his fourth bout.

cash has always looked pretty good when i've seen him, more confident in him than denzel

mickey1975 wrote: ↑14 Apr 2021, 09:16 George Davey has got Jamie Stewart. Interesting matching for his fourth bout.

Good fight.

maverick23 wrote: ↑14 Apr 2021, 10:05

mickey1975 wrote: ↑14 Apr 2021, 09:16 George Davey has got Jamie Stewart. Interesting matching for his fourth bout.

Good fight.

And he’s moved down to welter and doing his first six rounder.

Come on davey and Felix

Press Release

KO KING Anthony Yarde aims to be back with bang when he meets unbeaten German Emin Atra in London on Saturday April 24.

The Ilford man last boxed in December when he was outpointed by Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight champion Lyndon Arthur over 12 rounds.

Their promoter Frank Wa**en is targeting a rematch later in 2021, but Yarde must impress against Atra (17-0, 12 KOs) in a ten rounder, live on BT Sport.

Yarde (20-2, 19 KOs) who came close to toppling then WBO World champion Sergey Kovalev in August 2019 said: “I am just looking forward to getting back in action and blowing away the cobwebs

“It has been a bit of a rollercoaster personal and business wise, but I am getting back and right now I feel very good. Things are going well.

“I wanted the rematch with Lyndon immediately, but it didn’t work out that way. There is still a rematch clause, but for now I need to stay active.

“I gave myself time to sit back, analyse and look through everything that has happened. It is about re-assessing everything and getting myself back out there.”

Yarde, 29, is keeping schtum on changes he has made since the Arthur setback, but vowed that he will be going for the KO against Atra and Arthur when they do meet again in the anticipated return.

“I have watched the Lyndon fight five times. I still have myself winning, but a lot closer than when I was actually in the ring,” admitted Yarde.

“I am inexperienced but that has taught me my method in boxing is to knock people out and not prove I can go rounds.

“When you’re in there things seem to be going a certain type of way. I kind of think Lyndon’s response in our exchange after the fight showed us both who he thought won the fight.

“Afterwards he said he said he thought it was close. In there, I thought I won clearly and one judge had it wide. When I actually watched it again it was closer than I thought.

“The next day I was over the Lyndon fight. I am not a person who holds onto things, especially as it’s something you can’t change.

“That wasn’t the right result or the best result on the night for myself or performance.

“Things happen at certain stages to remind you, what you’re meant to be doing and your purpose in the sport.

“I have changed a lot. I am going to hold back saying what I’ve changed. There are things what have been changed, but I want to lock things in first and make sure I’m happy before I make any announcements.”

Yarde, 29, who is still highly ranked by the IBF, WBC and WBO could also be on a collision course with another British former World Light-Heavyweight title challenger, Callum Johnson.

The Boston man recently returned to Warren’s stable and is also in action alongside Yarde on the big behind closed doors show at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

Johnson (18-1, 13 KOs) meets WBO number 15 ranked Emil Markic (32-2, 24 KOs) for the organisation’s vacant Global championship.

“Although I only focus on myself that is potential fight like any Light-Heavyweight in the division is,” says Ilford’s Yarde.

Heading the bill is Battersea’s Denzel Bentley (14-0-1, 12 KOs) who makes the first defence of his British Middleweight title against mandatory contender Felix Cash (13-0, 9 KOs) whose Commonwealth crown is also on the line.

Some of the best prospects in the Queensberry stable are also on show including London Heavyweight banger David Adeleye (5-0, 5 KOs) who boxes a six rounder.

Also in six round action York Super-Welterweight George Davey (3-0) meets Jamie Stewart (2-1-1) and Super-Lightweight Henry Turner (4-0) who faces Clayton Bricknell (3-3-1).

In four rounders are Liverpool Middleweight James Heneghan (4-0) and Chatham Light-Heavyweight Karol Itauma (1-0) a Youth Olympic Gold Medallist.

Really good 50/50 unification between 2 unbeaten champs who've been improving all the time, im edging slightly towards Bentley, maybe holds the edge in speed, really gave Heffron a going over in their rematch, busted his eye up pretty bad, Cash no slouch, dominant as well but against an undersized faded Welborn in his last fight, fair play for both men making it happen, especially Cash seeing as he had a guaranteed shot at the European lined up, refreshing to see young guys put their 0 on the line against dangerous undefeated fighters

This is coin toss but im gonna say Bentley close decision

I have this an even fight

Really good fight I was leaning towards cash when first announced but after taking a few lads up sparring bentley quite regular and being impressed im now finding it hard to pick a winner.Really rate both and looking forward to this fight

Bentley is a very likeable Kid..

Yes Denzel is very likeable. Legit nice guy, always smiling and joking ( until it’s fight time and then he can flick the switch )

knockout wrote: ↑18 Apr 2021, 16:51 Yes Denzel is very likeable. Legit nice guy, always smiling and joking ( until it’s fight time and then he can flick the switch )

Yes Cash does not come across as very likeable in the build up.

cash is a class above and ill think he will stop bentley, i know bentley has had a couple of decent results ,but i dont rate hefferon and seen a lot of his early fights as i hoped he would come on, i think cash will start cautious though controling he centre of the ring i think he will land a big over hand on bentley. the way i see it if cash loses he might as well retire as i expect him to go on to world title fights

I see David Adeleye is fighting Kamil Sokolowski on the undercard, he should (in theory) be able to get some more rounds this time out against a better calibre of journeyman.