Denzel Bentley reignited his career with a stunning second-round knockout of Danny Dignum on Saturday at London’s York Hall.

Last November, Bentley turned in a lackluster performance and lost his British title to Nathan Heaney. Bentley, a 29-year-old Londoner, isn’t one for excuses, but this week he told BoxingScene about how the premature birth of his son had – understandably – been the focus of his attention during the final weeks of his preparation for the Heaney fight, and how confident he was that he would return to form against Dignum, his former sparring partner.

The two-time British middleweight champion was as good as his word, producing an almost punch-perfect performance.

“I’m feeling good. I’m feeling excited,” Bentley said after the fight. “I told you, don’t call this a comeback, because I knew what I was going through mentally in my last fight. I just couldn’t lock in and give the performance I needed to give. You saw me today, fully locked in. Life’s going well, and look at the performance I produced. I’m a dangerous guy in this division, but I need to get my mind right every time I step in the ring so I can do the business.”

In the headliner at York Hall, Bentley (19-3-1, 16 KOs) planted himself right in front of Dignum and waited for the southpaw to lead. As soon as Dignum (16-2-1, 9 KOs) flinched, Bentley fired in his jab and also found a home for his right hand. Dignum appeared to be feeling his way into the fight but did find a pair of left hands as the round ended.

After a quiet start to the second round, Bentley suddenly upped the tempo and began to step forward. A right hand stunned Dignum and cut him over the right eye, and he smartly and swiftly switched the attack to the body and put Dignum down with a straight right hand to the solar plexus.

Dignum got to his feet, but within seconds, Bentley hit the same spot with another straight right to the body and Dignum dropped to the canvas again, wincing in agony. 

Dignum clambered up, but Bentley sensed the end and a stunning right hook lifted Dignum off his feet. Again Dignum got to his feet, but referee John Latham correctly stopped the fight after 2:53 of the second round. 

“I want more straps. I wanna go all the way to world level,” said Bentley, a two-time British champion and former world title challenger. “I’ve had a few setbacks and I’ve come back and shown my character and heart. You can’t hold me back, because if I want something, I’m not gonna stop til I get it.”