Denzel Bentley to Defend British Middleweight Title Against Kieran Smith

April Showdown Set for London Despite Initial Scotland Announcement

Denzel Bentley (17-2-1, 14 KOs) will defend his British Middleweight championship against Scotland’s Kieran Smith (18-1, 7 KOs) on April 15, according to the latest British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) circular. Initially announced to take place in Scotland, it has now been confirmed by Smith’s manager, Sam Kynoch, that the bout will instead take place in London. The fight will be part of a Frank Warren/Queensberry Promotions show, although the exact venue has yet to be confirmed.

Bentley’s Voluntary Defence

This will be Bentley’s second voluntary defence of his Lonsdale title. He first captured the British Middleweight championship in May 2022 with a split-decision victory over Linus Udofia. He successfully defended the title in September, stopping Marcus Morrison in four rounds. With momentum on his side, Bentley will look to solidify his status as one of the top British middleweights when he faces Smith.

The mandatory challenger for the British title will emerge from the upcoming Tyler Denny vs. Brad Pauls fight on February 11, but for now, Bentley is focused on the challenge Smith presents.

A World Title Test and Redemption Fight for Bentley

Denzel Bentley’s stock rose significantly after his brave performance against WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly in November 2022. Despite being seen as a heavy underdog, Bentley took the fight to Alimkhanuly and surprised many with his resilience, eventually losing on points but earning praise for his display. This performance, though a loss, showed that Bentley belongs on the international stage and makes his April bout a crucial step in his journey back to world-level contention.

For many, the fight with Smith is seen as a “comeback fight” following his world title challenge. Bentley enters the contest as the strong favorite, with most expecting him to use this opportunity to reestablish dominance on the domestic scene.

Smith’s Biggest Opportunity Yet

Kieran Smith will step into the ring as the underdog, but he brings his own story of redemption. Smith’s most notable bout to date was a British title final eliminator against Troy Williamson in April 2021. In that fight, Smith was widely viewed as being in control for the first five rounds, but a powerful shot from Williamson in the sixth ended his hopes in an instant. Since then, Smith has not fought on major platforms, making this a critical opportunity for the Scottish fighter to reassert himself on the national stage.

The fight against Bentley offers Smith a chance to claim the prestigious Lonsdale belt and prove he can compete at the highest domestic level. However, he faces a tough challenge against a Bentley who is looking to bounce back from his world title experience.

A Fight for the Fans

The matchup between Bentley and Smith promises intrigue, with Bentley carrying the momentum of his impressive world title challenge and Smith looking to make the most of his chance on a big stage. Fans will eagerly await this April 15 showdown in London, which could propel the winner toward even bigger fights in the future.