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Benn offered chance to fight for Bentley’s WBO middleweight belt
HARD-HITTER: Conor Benn

DENZEL BENTLEY has offered Conor Benn the chance to fight for his WBO middleweight title.

Benn is uncertain over what direction his boxing career will take after he was stopped inside two rounds by Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The 29-year-old, facing an elite-level opponent for the first time, was outclassed in his challenge for Garcia’s WBC welterweight crown and was rescued by the referee after taking a barrage of shots on the ropes.

Benn, who was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure and was unable to attend the post-fight media conference, revealed on social media that he will take a break to spend time with his family.

Londoner Bentley, who claimed the WBO interim title with victory over Endry Saavedra in April, with the belt subsequently upgraded to full champion, would relish the opportunity to face Benn in an all-British showdown.

“Conor’s whole thing in the Garcia fight was that he wanted to win the WBC title like his dad did,” Bentley told The Ring magazine. “Well I hold the actual WBO middleweight title that his dad held.

“I would be happy to fight him because it’s beneficial for me as well.

“I think it would be a great story behind it because it is his dad’s old belt and it’s a fight that would raise my profile a lot.

“He’s getting another opportunity to achieve a dream and do what he has set out to do with the WBC title, but just in different circumstances.”

Bentley, who has yet to confirm an opponent for his first title defence, with Yoenli Hernandez the WBO mandatory challenger, added: “If he wants to move up and fight for the belt, I would have to grant him that because it benefits both of us.

“I am at a stage now where I am a world champion and that will be on my resumé forever.”

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