British world champion Denzel Bentley has offered Conor Benn the chance to fight for his WBO middleweight title.
Benn faces uncertainty regarding the future direction of his career following a second-round stoppage defeat by Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Taking on an elite opponent for the first time, the 29-year-old was outmatched challenging for Garcia’s WBC welterweight title and was saved by the referee while absorbing heavy shots on the ropes.
Having been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, Benn was unable to attend the post-fight media conference, but later announced on social media that he is taking a break to spend time with his family.
Londoner Bentley – who secured the WBO interim title by defeating Endry Saavedra in April before being upgraded to full champion – would welcome the opportunity to meet Benn in a major domestic bout.
“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. It’s not just me giving him an opportunity, because he will be giving me an opportunity to make some big money 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.
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“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 not yet confirmed an opponent for his inaugural defence despite Yoenli Hernandez being 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 resume forever. Now it’s time to make some money.”
Benn now holds a professional record of 25-2 (14 KOs), but has lost two of his last four bouts.
