Denzel Bentley is up for "a scrap" with Hamzah Sheeraz

Denzel Bentley targets British rival

Newly crowned British middleweight champion Denzel Bentley has set his sights on a mouthwatering bout against Commonwealth middleweight holder Hamzah Sheeraz after defeating Brad Pauls on points at Wembley Arena on December 7.

Battersea-born Bentley was awarded the fight unanimously, beating his Cornish rival to become a three-time British middleweight champion, as part of Frank Warren’s Magnificent 7 event.

Following the fight, Bentley spoke with the Parimatch boxing betting site and expressed his desire to come face-to-face with the talented Sheeraz.

Sheeraz denied avoiding the new British middleweight king over the past few months and Bentley said: “I am trying to fight him and I feel like he is avoiding me, despite him calling out Eubank for the same thing.

“He is a good fighter and I am up for a scrap, so hopefully I can fight him down the stretch.”

Following his victory over Pauls, Bentley felt he showed a different side to his arsenal during the bout and was pleased to be able to keep his opponent at bay.

He added: “It was a good performance and I felt like I boxed really well.

“I had to just break him down and stop him but he was tough and stuck in there, so credit to Brad.

“He hit me with a few good shots in round six. My jab and feet won the fight for me and I showed a different style, so I am really happy to have won.”