Bentley vs Dignum Predictions: Denzel on for a perfect 10

Denzel Bentley takes on Danny Dignum this Saturday, May 11 for the WBO international middleweight title. The iconic York Hall in Bethnal Green, London will play host to the match-up. TNT Sports will screen all the action from the capital. Here are my Bentley vs Dignum predictions for a fight with lots on the line for both men.

Bentley probably never expected to find himself here. In November 2022 he gave unbeaten WBO middleweight king Janibek Alimkhanuly a tremendous fight, losing via unanimous decision but proving he belonged at world level. Bentley rocked and marked up his man before the champion pulled away in the championship rounds.

The impression coming out of the fight was that further opportunities would await Bentley. He had gone toe-to-toe with an unbeaten world champion and emerged looking good. A 45-second knockout of Kieran Smith in defence of the British middleweight title he still held reinforced that belief.

A bout last November with popular underdog Nathan Heaney looked for all the world like a possible farewell to the domestic scene. One more for the road before Bentley’s attention turned to the global stage full-time. But Heaney did what very few predicted, outpointing the champion and taking the belt via a majority nod. 

Now, instead of enjoying the first day of the rest of his life against a world-ranked contender, Bentley takes on 16-1-1 Danny Dignum at York Hall. That’s not to say the Essex middleweight isn’t talented. But Bentley touched the hem of greatness and it must rankle that he is further away than anticipated from wearing that shroud.

There is an interesting parallel between these two men. Dignum had his own disappointment at the hands of Alimkhanuly in May 2022. The Brit lasted just two rounds with the Kazakh in a clash for the vacant WBO interim middleweight strap. 

The only other blemish on Dignum’s record is a draw with Andrey Sirotkin. The Russian is best known on these shores for being knocked out in seven rounds by John Ryder. Dignum has so far seemed to run into trouble when reaching towards the top end of the middleweight division. He has plowed a lucrative furrow at European level, defending the WBO version of the continental belt. But anything beyond the region has seen him suffer.

Of course, a debate can be had on whether European level is where Bentley belongs at this point. He recovered brilliantly from a 2021 third-round knockout loss to Felix Cash, eventually securing a world title shot. But his record, while thoroughly excellent at domestic level, lacks the sheen of a top-level name. Perhaps the Alimkhanuly performance flattered him and Bentley is merely returning to his level.

That is what makes this fight so eye-catching. In their way, each man is fighting for their professional life here. Dignum has openly said he’d consider retirement if he doesn’t win. This is all-or-nothing for the Essex boy. Bentley is arguably in the same boat. A loss here leaves ‘2Sharp’ with nowhere to go. He can kiss goodbye to even a European title shot and further chances at his old British belt may even elude him. The phrase is overused, but this fight really is a must-win for these gentlemen.

As for who will prevail, I think Bentley will start his climb back up the mountain here. Dignum already evoking the shadow of retirement is a worrying sign. It may spur him on but equally, considering the end of your career as you walk into a tough fight is a distraction. 

I’m going for Bentley to emerge by knockout here. He has 15 stoppages from 18 fights and Dignum has been halted before. ‘2Sharp’ has competed and won at a higher level and I feel like that experience will come to fruition. Dignum is tough and Bentley is out of sorts so I think it will come late. A Bentley knockout in round 10 is priced at 16/1 if you’d like to back my selection.

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