Conor Benn could be handed an immediate route back to a world title fight, with WBO middleweight champion Denzel Bentley saying the British boxer could "skip the queue" for a shot at his 160lb belt.
Benn suffered a heavy defeat to Ryan Garcia at the weekend, losing his challenge for the WBC welterweight world title inside two rounds in Las Vegas. Garcia floored Benn before the fight was stopped in the second round.
Benn is now expected to return to middleweight, the division where he twice fought his family rival Chris Eubank Jr before cutting down to welterweight to face Garcia. Bentley, who holds the WBO's version of the middleweight world title, said he would relish the chance to defend his belt against Benn.
Bentley's offer
"Although the public might not think he deserves another world title shot in my eyes I feel like his profile is big enough for him to skip the queue," Bentley told Sky Sports.
"It's unfair but that's the sport we're in. Obviously it's beneficial for me, especially financially, so 100 per cent that's the fight I would take. I've never had any beef with Conor, we've always been cool."
Bentley added that a move up in weight would change the relationship between the two fighters. "But if he is coming to the 160lb division, he goes from a companion to a potential challenger," he said.
Who is Denzel Bentley?
Bentley was elevated to full WBO world champion after claiming the organisation's interim title with a dominant performance against Endry Saavedra in April. That result put him in position to inherit the full title at 160lbs, the division Benn is now expected to return to.
Benn's move down to middleweight would not be his first taste of the division. He fought Eubank Jr, the son of former world champion Chris Eubank, twice at 160lbs, continuing a rivalry between the two families that dates back to fights between their fathers. Benn later dropped back to welterweight to chase the world title against Garcia, a step up that ended in defeat.
'No rush' for Benn
Bentley said he did not expect any fight to be made soon, and urged Benn to take time to recover from his defeat before considering a return.
"Firstly he needs to get himself right, well and fit. I think he should take a lot of time off and recover. I don't think there's any rush for him to get back into a boxing ring or even a gym," Bentley said.
"That weight cut was a fight in itself for him I think. Probably took a lot out of himself."
He added that any move to middleweight could be discussed once Benn was ready. "Once he's well and fit, if he decides to move up to 160lbs and he does want the challenge, I think that's probably a conversation we can probably have ourselves: 'If you want to do this, let's push for it.'"
A warning for Benn
Despite the offer, Bentley made clear he expects to have the physical advantage if the fight is made. "I think I'm dangerous for anyone. I'm a lot bigger than him and I can punch," he said.
Bentley also suggested Benn could be a more dangerous opponent at his more natural weight. "I think he will be a lot better with the extra weight. I think at 160lbs he'll be a lot more fuelled," he said.
"But, listen, I punch as well and there were a lot of flaws in his game that night that I could exploit."
