BBN preview the rematch between Mark Heffron and Denzel Bentley
Middleweight rivals Heffron and Bentley clash for a second time after their their thrilling September showdown finished in a stalemate
Mark Heffron (25-1-1, 19KOs) will take on Denzel Bentley (13-0-1, 11KOs) once again on Friday, November 13, in a middleweight rematch after fighting to a unanimous decision draw back in September, where both fighters could have each made good cases for winning.
The contenders head back to the same setting at the BT Sports Studios in Stratford, but this time there's a prestigious Lonsdale belt awaiting the winner.
BBN Editor Tim Rickson takes a look at the main event plus undercard ahead of Friday night's action:
Main Event
Mark Heffron vs Denzel Bentley 2
12 x 3 British middleweight title
The two talented middleweights will battle it out again on Friday night after both raising their hands in a tremendous clash back in September that was scored as a unanimous decision draw, leaving each one demanding the rematch, and now have the added bonus of the recently vacated British middleweight title relinquished by Liam Williams on the line. They each claim to have won the first fight, calling one another deluded, so they will both carry confidence into this rematch.
25-year-old Battersea boxer Bentley felt aggrieved that he didn't win after flooring Heffron in the second round, applying early pressure with aggressive power punching.
28-year-old Heffron however managed to wrestle back control of the 10-round contest and dominated the middle rounds, showing exactly why he still belonged with the country's top middleweights having only been defeated once by two-weight British beltholder Liam Williams, leaving the judges a tight decision to make, and they all scored the fight at 95-95.
The return will now take place over 12 championship rounds adding plenty more spice to the mix, with such an illustrious prize up for grabs. Neither fighter has gone past the 10th round yet meaning there'll be unchartered territory ahead if it reaches that far.
Oldham's 'Kid Dynamite' is unbeaten in five fights since his defeat to Welshman Williams. This will be the second time he has challenged for the British middleweight title.
Heffron's ability cannot be questioned, he has a fantastic all-round boxing skill and strength. Bentley is the opposite, which makes for such an exciting and intruiging clash, with his erratic, explosive shots from different, awkward angles and stances.
In the first round of the first fight, Bentley crudely tripped over himself when throwing a jab, but he made up for the antics in the second stanza with a straight left backhand that knocked Heffron down cleanly.
Heffron is slightly taller and would be sensible to use that height advantage in the return bout, however, he was most successful when backing Bentley up on the ropes. Although he rode a lot of the shots well, the unbeaten Londoner was caught several times in the corner as he doesn't cover up, preferring to move his head and upper body out of target.
In round nine, a left hook buzzed Bentley when caught in the corner once more and Heffron knew his man was hurt, but he recovered well, but also didn't stick around on the ropes after that, opting to box on the back foot and keep on his toes to regain his senses.
Heffron has a couple of good scalps on his record, such as ex-English champ Lewis Taylor (19-5-1, 3KOs) and Midlands Area titlist Andrew Robinson (24-5, 7KOs), but for 27 bouts, that's not very impressive, it has to be said.
Bentley's best win was against Mick Hall (15-3, 2KOs) in July, retiring the durable 'Hammer' at the end of the sixth round after having a torrid time with the home fighter on the undercard of the Joyce-Wallisch show.
Neither fighter is expected to come out that much differently from last time, so the contest should be a carbon copy from before, which will be an exciting prospect for fight fans if true. They will each be more educated and aware of each other's strengths and weaknesses.
Both fighters can withstand a lot, but both can also be hurt and floored, so expect a lot of exchanges. Bentley's style works for him, so you can imagine he'd stick to it, but maybe improve his performance by staying off the ropes this time, however, he had success countering there so he may keep to the tactic. having been stunned when on the ropes, you would imagine he'd stay away this time, if sensible.
Heffron will be kicking himself thinking that if it wasn't for the knockdown, he would have just about won the fight by the narrowest of margins. Knowing that went against him on the scorecards, you would expect him to be sharper, switched on and more focused not to let that happen again.
Heffron has the skills, style and ability to win this contest on points, but 12 rounds is a long time to go and Bentley's unpredictability, power and awkwardness could surprise him at any given time.
Prediction: Denzel Bentley via stoppage
Tommy Fury vs TBA
6×3 Light-heavyweight rounds
Half-brother of the no.1 heavyweight in the world, Tyson Fury, Tommy is back in action for his fourth contest, close to two years on from his professional debut in December 2018.
Also signed to Frank Warren, 21-year-old Fury has kocked down and finished his past two foes in the first round, needing just 94 seconds then 62 seconds to despatch of them, although both journeymen had been stopped a few times each before.
However after stating his full commitment to the sport after his stint on Reality TV show Love Island, 'TNT' has been working hard with the world heavyweight champion's trainer Sugarhill Steward who has given him a much more trojan training camp and offering the young Briton a schooling in the art of boxing, which Fury claims has stripped him back to get rid of any bad habits. It'll be interesting to see these new skills, but only if it's against a half-decent opponent, which has yet to be named.
Chris Bourke vs Michael Ramabeletsa
10×3 WBC International Silver super-welterweight title
Undefeated Southern Area super-bantamweight champion Chris Bourke (8-0, 5KOs) came through his first title fight against Ramez Mahmood (11-1, 2KOs) with flying colours, but now he faces one of boxing's biggest banana skins in 'Troublemaker' Michael Ramabeletsa (18-17, 8KOs).
South African-born Preston puncher Ramabeletsa, 38, will fool plenty of people with his checkered record, but there's no end to unbeaten prospects and home fighters whose nights he has ruined during his 12-year career.
Since losing to Ashley Lane (14-9-2, 1KO) for Commonwealth super-bantamweight title in 2017, he has won his last three contests against three unbeaten talents – Indi Sangha (9-0); Ryan Walker (8-0); Joe Eko (7-0), collecting the English super-bantamweight and Central Area super-featherweight titles. In 35 bouts, he has only been stopped once by world title contender Evans Mbanba (18-3-1, 9KOs) in his ninth contest back in 2010. World champions Paul Butler (32-2, 15KOs) and Kal Yafai (26-1, 15KOs) both beat Michael but couldn't stop him.
26-year-old Londoner, Chris Bourke's last victory should give him plenty of confidence and encouragement but he will have to stay switched on and focused for the full duration on this WBC International Silver super-bantamweight title fight, despite his opponent being 12 years his senior.
Prediction: Points win to Chris Bourke
UPDATE: Bout cancelled due to positive COVID-19 tests
Mickey Burke vs TBA
6×3 Welterweight contest
Bexley boxer Mickey Burke Jr (3-0) has won all three contests on points so far, not giving away or sharing a single round. The 19-year-old three-time natiobal amateur champion trains out of the talented iBox Gym in Bromley alongside Dennis McCann with trainers Alan Smith and Eddie Lamm.
Henry Turner vs TBA
6×3 Super-lightweight contest
Hammersmith-born super-lightweight southpaw Henry Turner (3-0) has his fourth professional contest against an opponent yet to be named.
The 19-year-old from near Amersham spent all bar one year of his amateur stint at the Repton Boxing Club, having joined at the age of 12. His roll of honour includes becoming Minors National champion, Schoolboy National champion, twice Junior ABA champion, NABC champion, GB Schoolboy champion, GB Junior champion, European Junior gold medallist, European Schoolboy quarter-finalist, six-times London champion and four-times International Box Cup winner, losing just four from 60 bouts!
The southpaw counter-puncher also trains out of the thriving iBox Gym in Bromley. He has shared the bill with headliner Bentley before when he defeated Chris Adaway on points (40-35) on the Joyce-Walisch undercard in July, while Bentley stopped Hall in six. Turner was also powerful that night, dropping the durable journeyman in the third round, making it two knockdowns from three fights.
Londoner based in Belfast Caoimhin Agyarko (7-0, 4KOs) also appears.
There were three cancelled contests in total – Kaisy Khademi (8-0, 2KOs) vs Ijaz Ahmed (7-2) is now off; and debutant Massood Abdullah's pro bow will have to wait.
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