Frank Warren Reveals Bentley’s Handshake Deal Since 2022

Menu Results Schedule Rankings Videos Tickets Forum Contact Us Menu Rankings Schedule Results Boxing Live Frank Warren Reveals Bentley’s Handshake Deal Since 2022 Google News Preferred Source By Boxing News 24 Desk - 10/02/2026 - Comments Frank Warren confirmed that Denzel Bentley operated under verbal handshake agreements rather than a promotional contract starting in 2022. Warren stated that Queensberry made a calculated choice to pass on bidding for Bentley’s mandatory defense against Yoenli Hernandez.

That revelation clarifies the sudden departure to Zuffa Boxing. Bentley never breached an exclusive deal by walking away, since no paperwork tied him down. Queensberry successfully revived Bentley’s standing following career setbacks, eventually guiding him to the WBO middleweight title, yet left the working relationship open without written commitments.

“I haven’t had a contract with him since 2022,” Warren told The Stomping Ground. “We worked with him and with Martin and Tony Bowers and done a lot of things on handshakes. It is what it is. I made a decision not to bid for the fight, and we didn’t bid for it. … We’ve done a fantastic job for him, but it is what it is, and whatever he does, that’s up to him.”