Michael Bentt

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Michael Bentt (born September 5, 1964 in London, United Kingdom) is a retired heavyweight boxer, who was born in England, but raised in New York.

He won four New York City Golden Gloves titles and five USA Amateur Boxing championships. Both accomplishments remain unprecedented. After having won the bronze medal at the 1986 World Amateur Boxing Championships he was placed a controversial second in the 1988 US Olympic Trials to the eventual 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist, Ray Mercer. He won the right to fight on the Jamaican Olympic boxing team, but refused when he would have to give up his U. S. citizenship. He is regarded as the most decorated boxer in the history of American amateur boxing never to have competed on a US Olympic Boxing Team.

Bentt turned professional under Emanuel Steward; and was KO'ed in the first round by Jerry Jones in his pro debut. Bentt maintained that neither he nor Steward knew Jones was a southpaw. Bentt returned to boxing after a 20-month hiatus. After a few wins he signed with manager Stan Hoffman, and was trained by former Light Heavyweight Champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. Bentt then put together a modest win streak, had a couple of losses, and retired with an 11-2 record.

In October of 1993 Bentt sent tremors throughout the sportsworld with a shocking and decisive first round knockout of Tommy 'The Duke' Morrison to capture the WBO version of the Heavyweight title. London-born to parents from Clarendon, Jamaica, the American-based boxer lost his WBO belt to Herbie Hide in the New Den, Millwall, England, in 1994. The fight would be his last after being rushed to the hospital and told he could never fight again. Bentt had suffered brain injury in the loss.[1]

[edit] After Boxing

Turning to acting, he was the second actor cast after Will Smith in Michael Mann's 'ALI'. Michael landed the coveted role of Charles 'Sonny' Liston. Also served as both Will Smith's chief sparring partner and assistant trainer during the six months of boxing training prior to the principal photography of 'ALI'. He has contributed essays as a writer for 'BERT SUGAR'S FIGHTGAME' and the 'HBO BOXING WEBSITE'. Has commentated on boxing matches for Bob Arum's Top Rank Boxing on ESPN(USA), Filmnet(Holland),and BBC Radio(England).