THE FORGOTTEN HEAVYWEIGHT PART 2 – MICHAEL BENTT LOSER

Don’t be misled by the title of this article and make no mistake about it, Michael Bent was a class act, a phenomenal talent that just hated the profession he was in.

When you talk about the History of Heavyweight world Champions in particular those from the UK you could argue that Michael Bentt should be remembered for just that, A British born Heavyweight Champion, born in London, England to Jamaican Parents, Bentt was raised at an early age in Queens, New York USA.

His Strict Father would force upon the young boy a path that would eventually lead Bentt to become heavyweight Champion in 1991 when he defeated WBO Champion Tommy Morrison in one round, however there was no love lost between father and son.

CLICK HERE & WATCH MICHAEL BENTT ON THE EMMY NOMINATED NETFLIX SERIES ‘LOSERS’ MISCAST CHAMPION

Bentt achieved a record (at that time) of 4 Heavyweight Golden Glove Titles Five national titles and a bronze at the 1986 World Championships, Bentt is regarded by some as the most decorated boxer in the history of American amateur boxing never to have competed on a United States Olympic boxing team.

The Professional Ranks beckoned for the armature star with a debut against Jerry Jones, the highly decorated amatuer fighter had a devastating start to his professional career by getting KO’d by jones in round one, lambasted by his father in the changing rooms his pride seriously dented and desperate for a reassuring arm around the shoulder Bentt fell away from boxing slipping in deep depression and anxiety.

When you sparred with Evander, I couldn’t tell who the champion is

Georgie Benton on seeing Bentt Spar

A few years later a Chance encounter with Stan Hoffman would reignite Bentt’s Boxing career and get him work sparring Evander Holyfield, Georgie Benton who was training Holyfield for his second heavyweight championship fight watched as Bent more than held his own with the Champion “Damn” Benton would say “When you sparred with Evander, I couldn’t tell who the champion is” those words would send Bentt on 10 fight winning Streak  culminating with a Heavyweight title clash with Tommy Morrison, Bentt was on top of the world and on fire.

Anatomy of a Knock Out by Michael Bentt is a fascinating award winning article below

Bentt’s first title Defence would be held in England against Herbie Hyde, Hyde becoming Champion with a 7^th round TKO, however Bentt’s loss would ironically be his re-birth! a newfound vigour for life, after over coming four days of induced coma following his defeat to Hyde, Bentt was told he could never box again, free of his profession, free of his father’s abuse and back to good health mentally and physically, he thrived.

Michael Bentt is now a renowned writer, Actor and Broadway Director, finally ‘he is who he wants to be’ a man who is not afraid anymore, not afraid to fail or to lose, totally open and honest about his life both good and bad.

Michael is no loser he is a winner, a winner in life.