Middleweight world champion Denzel Bentley has signed a multi-fight contract with Zuffa Boxing and will make his promotional debut against second-generation standout Shane Mosley Jr. in the co-main event at ZUFFA BOXING 12 on Saturday, November 7, at London’s Copper Box Arena.
Bentley vs. Mosley Jr. joins a loaded bill headlined by a highly anticipated cruiserweight clash between former world champion Chris Billam-Smith and Team GB Olympian Chev Clarke.
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.
*Editor’s note: A purse bid was held for Bentley’s mandated WBO middleweight title defense against Yoenli Hernandez, this past Tuesday, September 29. The purse bid was won by Warriors Boxing for $200,000 (Bentley getting $160,000 of that amount). Neither Bentley, nor his representatives have responded to the results of the purse bid. However, an official appeal from Bentley’s team was lodged with the WBO grievance committee prior to the purse bid. That appeal lies before the committee at this time and will be ruled on in due course. Expect a response from WBO president Gustavo Oliveiri soon.
