Denzel Bentley had an offer from Eddie Hearn to defend his WBO middleweight title against Yoenli Hernandez in Ghana before choosing Zuffa Boxing. Hearn revealed that Bentley requested a meeting with Matchroom, opening discussions about a route that would have included fulfilling his mandatory obligation.
Bentley instead signed a multi-fight Zuffa agreement and will face Shane Mosley Jr. on November 7 at London’s Copper Box Arena. That provides a different opponent and promotional future, although his WBO title situation remains unresolved.
“Denzel Bentley asked for a meeting with us,” Hearn told the post-fight press conference in Birmingham. “He was going to fight the mandatory in Ghana on our Ghana show. He chose to accept a little bit more money and … vacate the belt. … You blow the belt for nothing, for an extra 50 grand. I mean, it’s just madness.”
Hearn did not disclose Matchroom’s total offer or the terms beyond staging the Hernandez defense in Ghana. His £50,000 comparison therefore gives only part of the financial picture. A multi-fight agreement also requires Bentley to consider future purses, opponents and opportunities.
Hearn believes Bentley would beat Hernandez. I would favor the Cuban, whose pressure, combination punching and power could make the mandatory a demanding defense. Bentley would need to produce enough offense to discourage Hernandez while avoiding prolonged exchanges that suit the challenger.
That difference in how the fight is viewed helps explain the decision. Hearn sees a title Bentley should retain; Bentley may see a dangerous obligation alongside an alternative that offers greater financial security.
There is also a qualification to Hearn’s claim about vacating. Bentley has reportedly petitioned the WBO to approve Mosley as a voluntary defense, with his title at risk if permission is refused.
The Ghana proposal shows Bentley had another option. Whether it was the better one depends on more than the immediate purse difference Hearn described.
