Denzel Bentley(29) is a British professional boxer. The fighter also known as 2 Smart is in the news ahead of his November 12 March against Janibek Alimkhanuly, the WBO middleweight champion.
The former British Commonwealth middleweight champion and Battersea grown is one of the fearless fighters who understands a good trashing ever since he launched his professional career in 2017.
Denzel Bentley Traces His Ancestry to Ghana
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He was born Denzel Bentley Ntim-Mensah on January 29, 1995 in London. His parents are Ghanaians and while growing up, they put a sense of appreciation of his ancestry in him through trips and respect for elders.
Its no wonder that he left England at the age of 8 to spend two years in his parents country of origin. While the move lasted two years, he had a first hand experience of the educational system which has helped him remain grounded.
Moving on, he played football as a kid and boxed at home with his brother, Hayden. However, things changed for Bentley after Hayden bought him boxing gloves when he visited Nine Elms Market.
Thus marked the beginning of his interest in boxing.
The British-born Made his Professional Debut at The Age of 22
Denver Bentley started his professional career on October 14, 2017 and has so far fought in 19 bouts as of this writing. The 5ft 11 inches tall Battersea grown boxer maintained a winning streak from his debut match till 2021 when he suffered his first career loss to Felix Cash, the then commonwealth middleweight champion.
In a twist, he retained his middleweight championship in 2022 when he fought Linus Udofia.
Bentley Worked in a Store To Support his Boxing Career
Though, Bentley is now a recognizable name among boxing lovers, he worked hard to get to where he is today. It is revealed that the boxer worked stocking shelves at Sainsbury, one of the UK’s biggest supermarkets.
This not surprising since Bentley did the job three years ago to support his boxing career. Looking at boxing profile, the period was one of the toughest for him due to Covid 19 and the pressure to maintain his winning streak. He faced off in a recurring bout with Mark Hefron that led to damaging the latters left eye.
He was Recognized by Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II
having maintained his strong love for his Ghanaian heritage, in 2017, the Commonwealth champion had a first time meeting with the Ashanti Ruler, Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II.
While recalling the event, Bentley said he was nervous to meet the great man who rules over the Ashanti people, his kins people. Not only that, he was happy that when he wemt to meet him, the people were proud of his achievements and also celebrated him.
As a result, Bentley was inspired to work hard since there were many people looking up to him. At the time, he met with a one time commonwealth boxing champion, Azumah Nelson who held the title back in 1983.
The Boxer’s Mental Health Affected his Fight with Felix Cash
As metioned before, his winning streak was cut off after Cash won. Away from the appearance, the 29-year-old revealed that his mental health was affected before the fight.
While talking about the aftermath of the fight, he also revealed that after losing the fight, he ‘felt like sh*t’ due to people’s comment about him.
His mental health suffered as the boxer also went through all the comments on his social media, most of which were abusive.
See Also: Janibek Alimkhanuly: All We Know About The Boxer
He was the First Boxer in the UK to Kneel To The Black Lives Matter
Apparently, Bentley is a fighter both in the ring and outside of it. He took a stance and bowed to the #blacklivesmatter protest.
Bentley knelt inorder to create awareness to the ongoing protest against racism mostly tragetted at black people. His decision to take such a stance is not surpring as he has also expereinced racism.
His first encounter was at the age of 11 when the police stopped him while walking in the park. The incidence happened about the time he returned from Ghaana and was trying to get used to things. They asked him questions about his house and the hospital he was born in and told him they were going to search for weapons.
How Much is Denzel Bentley’s Net Worth?
The British boxer, Bentley’s net worth is estimated to be over $1 million. However, he has not verified or refuted such claims.
Looking at the amount boxers earn per fight between $1000 to $4000 for starters and amounts as high as $500 million for elite boxers like Floyd Mayweather, this gives credence to his net worth
Moreso, the fighter is known for contribution to charitable courses. In 2021, he pledged 10% of his fight purse to St Vincent Fundraising appeal.
