Wasserman Boxing’s launch on Channel 5 produced some moments to live long in the memory, but it is a night to remember for Denzel Bentley. Linus Udofia walked away empty handed on the night, but will be guaranteed to have raised his stock after a closely contested split decision loss.
Elsewhere, Harlem Eubank dispatched Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd in two rounds to continue to stick his name in the headlines. Brad Pauls kept his unbeaten record after an unbelievable fight against Ryan Kelly.
Please see full fight card results and images below
British Middleweight Title Fight – Udofia vs Bentley (12 Rounds)
Denzel Bentley wins British Middleweight Title via split decision
(116-112 / 114-115 / 115-113)
Josh Kelly vs Xhuljo Vrenozi – Super Welterweight (10 Rounds)
LATE CANCELLATION BY VRENOZI
Harlem Eubank vs Sean Dodd – Super Lightweight (10 Rounds)
Harlem Eubank wins by stoppage in Round 2
Brad Pauls vs Ryan Kelly – British Middleweight Title Eliminator (10 Rounds)
Brad Pauls wins via split decision
(96-94 / 96-94 / 93-97)
Constantin Ursu vs Boria Lopez – Welterweight (4 Rounds)
Constantin Ursu wins via points, 40-34
Razor Ali vs Khvicha Gigolashvili – Featherweight (6 Rounds)
Razor Ali wins via points, 60-54
Harvey Horn vs Alejandro Torres – Flyweight (10 Rounds)
Harvey Horn wins via points, 60-54
Katharina Thanderz vs Tereza Dvorakova – Super Lightweight (6 Rounds)
Katarina Thanderz earns a win via points, 58-56
Dan Morley vs Ivan Njegac – Welterweight (6 Rounds)
Dan Morley wins by stoppage in Round 4
May 13 marks a monumental beginning for Wasserman Boxing as Title action returns to terrestrial television, live on Channel 5. The wait is over, as the British Middleweight title is on the line in an eagerly anticipated clash between Linus Udofia (17-0, 9 KOs) and Denzel Bentley (15-1-1, 13 KOs) on Friday May 13.
The card also features the returning Josh Kelly (10-1-1, 6 KOs) coming in search of a statement win, as well as Harlem Eubank (13-0, 5 KOs) taking on two-time British Title challenger Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd (17-6-1, 3 KOs) over ten rounds.
Please see below for fighter weights and images.
British Middleweight Title Fight – Udofia vs Bentley (12 Rounds)
Linus Udofia – 159lb
Denzel Bentley – 159.2lb
Josh Kelly vs Xhuljo Vrenozi – Super Welterweight (10 Rounds)
Josh Kelly – 156.6lb
Xhuljo Vrenozi – 159.8lb
Harlem Eubank vs Sean Dodd – Super Lightweight (10 Rounds)
Harlem Eubank – 139lb
Sean Dodd – 139.3lb
Brad Pauls vs Ryan Kelly – British Middleweight Title Eliminator (10 Rounds)
Brad Pauls – 159lb
Ryan Kelly – 159.3lb
Harvey Horn vs Alejandro Torres – Flyweight (10 Rounds)
Harvey Horn – 114.4lb
Alejandro Torres – 110lb
Constantin Ursu vs Boria Lopez – Welterweight (4 Rounds)
Constantin Ursu – 147.2lb
Boria Lopez – TBA
Razor Ali vs Khvicha Gigolashvili – Featherweight (6 Rounds)
Razor Ali – 126.7lb
Khvicha Gigolashvili – 126.2lb
Katharina Thanderz vs Tereza Dvorakova – Super Lightweight (8 Rounds)
Katharina Thanderz – 139.3lb
Tereza Dvorakova – 138.3lb
Dan Morley vs Ivan Njegac – Welterweight (6 Rounds)
Dan Morley – 149.3lb
Ivan Njegac – 150.9lb
It’s homecoming night for South London’s Denzel “2Sharp” Bentley (15-1-1, 13KOs) as he looks to reclaim the British Middleweight Title against Luton’s Linus Udofia (17-0, 9 KOs) live and free on Channel 5 on Friday May 13 from 10pm.
Bentley suffered his first career loss to Felix Cash in 2021, but immediately bounced back with a win later in the year to set up this exciting title bout at the Indigo at the O2 in London. You will rarely find someone with such a vicious knockout ratio carrying such a calm demeanour with them. It may be a relaxed Bentley outside of the ring, but inside it is a man who has either retired his opponent or stopped them in every victory since a points decision win back in April 2019. “I’m always calm and relaxed. I’m doing something I enjoy so there’s no need to be nervous or uptight or anything like that,” he said. “I know I’ve put in the work, so I’m calm.”
Linus “Lightning” Udofia had previously outlined the strengths of Bentley and the stopping power he possesses. There’s a mutual feeling that both fighters know the British middleweight title will not come easy, but it is the South London boy who is looking to strike twice and hold the belt once again. “He’s a good fighter so I’m not just going out there and expecting a knockout, but I will be looking for one. “Other than that, I’ll just go and enjoy my boxing until I smell blood; then I’ll take him out.” By winning the British Middleweight Title again, the momentum would help Bentley towards achieving his end goal – leaving no stone unturned in his quest for all the belts.
By looking to achieve the crowns that domestic, continental and global organisations have to offer, the aim remains to use these experiences and knowledge throughout his journey to reach the pinnacle. Without this huge test for the British title, there can be no true development according to Bentley. “Some people fight their whole career and never even get a shot at it, as others bypass it, but I think it is good experience. It helps you get the feel for a championship fight for when you want to push on to European and world level. Guys at this level domestically are potential European and World champions but you’re fighting for the British (title), it’s always going to be a good fight,” he said. “Two guys who are ready to win this one and move on to bigger things, so to speak. For example, (James) DeGale and (George) Groves both fought for the British title and they both went on to become world champions.”
It is true that some of those who have competed for the British title have gone on to the loftiest of heights, with Bentley’s limitless ambitions prepared to match those who have gone before him. The South London man’s aspirations come without naivety, to get to the next level, every fight has to be the most important of his career. Being able to perform in front of his own fans is a blessing, but getting the win is the sweetest prize of all. “It is good to be fighting in South London as a South London boy,” said Bentley. “This fight is just as important to me as all my other fights and it is definitely a must-win. The winner moves on, whereas the loser has to take a step back and do this again. It’s a win we both need.”
Linus Udofia Vs Denzel Bentley: The Press Conference
Linus Udofia (17-0, 9 KOs) and Denzel Bentley (15-1-1, 13 KOs) had their say amongst a stacked card in the capital at Wasserman Boxing today.
In preparation for the launch of the first free-to-air event, live on Channel 5 on Friday May 13 at the Indigo at the O2, both fighters were ready to shine under the bright lights as their paths have finally met.
“I knew I was fighting Bentley. The logical choice for the board was Bentley, and I knew he wouldn’t say no to it. I knew it would always be him,” said Udofia.
“I know it’s a big fight without going on social media. I’ve seen the reaction I’ve been getting everywhere I’ve gone – people coming up to me and saying it is a massive fight, or mentioning the advert on Channel 5. I know how big this fight is without all the noise that comes with it.”
This will not be the first time Bentley has been in the ring for a British Title. A former winner of the coveted belt, who has enough respect for his opponent to know that them experiences cannot be the thing he solely relies on.
“He’s been in title fights too, so I’m not counting on that. I always knew we were in line to meet each other at some point because he kept excelling and I kept excelling. It’s not long now until we get to find out who’s the better fighter.”
Josh Kelly (10-1-1, 6 KOs) returns to stick his name back in contention amongst the top talent in the sport. Necessary changes have been made, including the move up in weight, to bounce back and put on a dazzling display.
“I feel refreshed. I’ve been in the gym the whole time I’ve been out. I’ve got a smile on my face, I’m going to perform on Friday and I’m going to enjoy it; that’s the main thing. It’s going to be a hard nights work for my opponent,” said Kelly.
“I feel strong, I feel fit, and I feel like this is the move for me. It’s going to show on Friday. There are levels in this sport, and when that first bell goes, he knows he’ll be swimming in deep water and it’ll be too much.”
Harlem Eubank (13-0, 5 KOs) will be looking to continue his rise as he faces former Commonwealth Champion and two-time British Title challenger Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd (17-6-1, 3 KOs).
Scheduled for ten rounds in this Super Lightweight showdown, Eubank has pinpointed now to be the right time to face a dangerous Dodd.
“This is exactly what I wanted. This is a Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd who has been through hardship and come through the other side. This is a man with a stronger mindset, and I’m prepared for the best version of Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd come Friday. I believe that is what he will be.
“Sean mentioned that I’m a fighter that has been invested in, but I don’t think that’s me. I’m a fighter who has kicked down the doors himself, taken the opportunities, and I’m here based on merit and on my performances.
“I’m physically and mentally prepared and I’m excited to put on a display come Friday night in the true fashion by showing how I got here and where I’m going in the future.”
The experienced ‘Masher’ Dodd has been around the block before. The levels he has competed at convince him that he has seen enough to know what sort of fighter he has been up against.
Not only his past experiences, but recent hardships have provided him a new lease of life, and a new appreciation for the opportunity Friday night brings. An opportunity he is eager to take.
“I know what I’m up against with Harlem, more than you realise. These past couple of years have been leading to this opportunity now,” said Dodd.
“When I got this opportunity, I realised THIS is the platform. Lets go back into boxing and enjoy it. Lets show people, and ourselves, what we’ve achieved these past couple of years. The years of experience in fighting, and the past two years of pain and trauma and graft; lets put them two together and put it out there on Friday, Live on Channel 5.”
Brilliant British bouts continue, as ‘The Newquay Bomb’ Brad Pauls (15-0, 9 KOs) goes up against Birmingham’s Ryan Kelly (16-3, 8 KOs). A fight with incentive in this eliminator for the British Middleweight Title. Yet to suffer a loss, Pauls will be fighting to set up a potential chance to compete for the title against his training partner and friend, Udofia.
It will be no walk in the park, as Ryan Kelly’s only blemishes have come against high-level opponents. He’ll be looking to mix all thse in-ring lessons with the additional energy he has now he enters a new division.
“I’ve found my weight now, and I’m looking forward to some big fights at middleweight. I’m feeling good,” said Kelly.
“The lights, the dressing rooms, it’s a big feeling going into these fights. I’ve got the experience of fighting on a few different platforms, and It’s a great feeling fighting on a Wasserman card as well. I appreciate the opportunity and I’m ready to go Friday night”.
Pauls will be looking to kickstart a winning night for his gym, ahead of Udofia’s fight in the main event. The work that they have put in is a collective is something he believes will lead them to victory, and cannot wait to show he is at his best live on Friday night.
“It’s a massive night for our gym. We’ve taken it to a different level this training camp. I’ve hit personal bests in every area of my training, and I’ve taken this fight so seriously. Knowing Linus has got the biggest night of his life as well, we’ve pushed each other and it is good to have that inside the gym. We’re in a very good position, and it is a big night for us.
“I’ve asked to be challenged, so let us see how good I am,” continued Pauls. “I’m more than capable, I’m very confident, and I’m more than prepared. I feel like me at 100% beats Ryan at 100%.”
