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Add FightsATW on GoogleIt’s been an interesting few weeks for WBO middleweight champion Denzel Bentley, with everything coming to a head today as Zuffa Boxing announced he’s signed a multi-fight deal with the promotional company, along with details about his next fight.
Bentley will defend his WBO title (pending a WBO decision) against Shane Mosley Jr. in the co-main event to Chris Billam-Smith vs. Cheavon Clarke on November 7. These fights will be part of Zuffa Boxing 12, which streams live from the Copper Box Arena in London, England.
As mentioned, it’s been an interesting few weeks for Bentley, who withdrew from a fight that went through the WBO purse-bid process. After that left fans scratching their heads, Bentley said his team submitted an appeal requesting a voluntary defense, a move intended to avoid being stripped of the title after the purse-bid results. The WBO will process the request accordingly, resulting in a decision by the sanctioning organization within the next few weeks.
Below is an excerpt from the press release announcing the co-main event along with undercard action.
Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KOs), from Battersea, London, is one of the most decorated British fighters of his era. The 31-year-old is a three-time British middleweight champion and former European champion who captured a world title earlier this year. Bentley has won four consecutive fights, including a seventh-round stoppage over Endry Saavedra in April. He returns to the friendly confines of the Copper Box Arena, where he is 2-0 with a pair of early knockout wins.
Mosley Jr. (23-5, 15 KOs), the son of Hall of Famer Shane Mosley, has carved out his own legacy in the sport with a recent resurgence. In 2024, he dominated former world champion Danny Jacobs over 10 rounds. Mosley Jr. made his Zuffa Boxing debut in May at the Meta Apex, stopping Ukrainian standout Serhii Bohachuk in the sixth round. The 35-year-old hopes to continue that momentum in his UK debut.
In other ZUFFA BOXING 12 main card action:
London-born cruiserweight prospect Lucas Roehrig (9-0, 5 KOs), will fight Scotland’s Connal McDonald (5-1, 1 KO) in an eight-rounder.
Scottish middleweight phenom Sam Hickey (6-0, 3 KOs) aims for his third consecutive knockout win when he steps up against Troy “The Hawk” Coleman (15-5-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Hickey is coming off a scintillating seventh-round stoppage over Brad Axe at Zuffa Boxing 10 in Dublin.
American heavyweight destroyer Da’Mazion Vanhouter (13-0, 10 KOs) makes his UK debut against the big-hitting Ivan Balaz (9-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder. The 21-year-old has six first-round knockouts in his last seven outings.
Super lightweight star Kayla Allen (1-0, 1 KO) turned pro last Saturday at Copper Box Arena, and her second pro fight will take place in the same venue against an opponent to be named in a six-rounder.
Additional information on the event will be announced in the coming weeks.
The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and will stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada.
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