DENZEL BENTLEY has explained to SunSport how he went into his British title loss as a red-hot favourite – while terrified his 3lb baby son would lose his fight for life.

The Battersea middleweight was tipped to dominate Stoke hero Nathan Heaney last November and defend his Lonsdale belt with relative ease.

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Denzel Bentley has opened up to SunSport about his newborn son’s fight for life[/caption]

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The middleweight star lost to Nathan Heaney just weeks after little Cairo was born[/caption]

Richard Pelham / The Sun

But Heaney put on a masterclass to cause the upset and whack 29-year-old Bentley’s world-title pursuit.

In trademark Peacock Gym style, Bentley refused to use his personal plight – and that of little Cairo’s – as an excuse.

For almost a year SunSport was happy to leave the traumatic tale untold in respect of Heaney’s performance and Bentley’s privacy.

But as the little tyke approaches his first birthday, we asked Daddy Cool to look back on those events.

Bentley explained: “The fight was November 18 and he wasn’t due until the second to last week of November and then he turned up mid-October, six weeks early.

“But I had already agreed the fight and I was already in camp, we had done around six weeks with about three to go, then boom, he pops up.

“I didn’t know what to do. It was traumatic for me and my missus, because of the way he arrived, doctors were saying that if we had left it 30 minutes longer he might not have made it.

“He was in intensive care for about 10 days so I am only doing gym-hospital-home.

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“I stopped everything else, nothing else mattered, I forgot about everything else.

“It was a shambles and then as soon as I finally got him home, I had to go to Manchester for fight week and the fight.

“I genuinely did not want to be there, I wanted to be at home with my son.

“I spent every minute on the phone to my missus asking what the news was, what the updates are, what the midwife has said, what’s he weigh – because he was under 4lbs – is he healthy, is he on track, is he behind?

“And – because I cannot be there physically – I just want to get the fight out of the way and get home.

“I probably should have pulled out but if I was taken back in time I probably would still take the fight again – because I don’t want to live with regrets.

ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at Wembley

“I had to crack on and I underestimated Nathan because I thought I could beat him on my worst day.

“But it was my mistake, this is not an excuse, I felt I could beat him.

“I didn’t want to use it as an excuse, I see fighters make excuses and I don’t like it.

“I didn’t want to speak about it until I came back and put on some proper performances that show that different mindsets produce different performances.”

When will the little terror learn he played such a pivotal role in briefly derailing his father’s career?

Bentley laughed: “He has a month left.”

“Once he turns one, he can listen to what he caused and get a clip round the ear.”

In a much more serious tone, the throwback fighter and doting parent told us: “My son never asked me to bring him here.

“I brought him into the world so it’s up to me to make sure he is secure and he can live the life he deserves to live.”

Watch Riyadh Season Card: Joshua v Dubois, live on TNT Sports Box Office from 4pm on Saturday 21 September. Find out more at tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice

THE PLANS for a £338 million “world’s tallest hotel” with 82 floors and over 1,000 rooms – plus panoramic views of the iconic city – have been revealed.

Ciel Tower in Dubai Marina will stand tall at 365m and has already received various awards for its groundbreaking design.

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The super-structure stand tall at 365m[/caption]

@yahyajan_design/instagram

Ciel will span a whopping 104 storeys[/caption]

@yahyajan_design/instagram

It costs a staggering £338 million to complete[/caption]

The new hotel, which is set to become the world’s tallest, will span a whopping 104 storeys and cost an eye-watering £338 million to complete.

The structure that’s being built by Immo Prestige Limited and NORR, will offer 360-degree views over the stunning Dubai Marina, the Palm Jumeirah and even the Arabian Gulf.

It is set to have 1,042 rooms, including 150 suites, which will spread across the tower‘s 82 floors.

As well as the deluxe guest rooms and suites the impressive building will also provide premium features for the super rich.

These include the Ciel Observatory and Lounge on the 81st floor and a signature Sky Terrace with an infinity pool and Horizon Bar.

While the mega-structure hasn’t even been built yet, it’s already won various prestigious awards including the Best International Hotel Architecture and Best Hotel Architecture Arabia.

For the Ciel’s foundations, about 12,000 cubic metres of concrete and 2,700 tonnes of steel were used.

The leading architect for the super-structure Yahya Jan told CNN: “This project is not just about architecture. It’s about architecture and engineering coming together.

“That’s why I love the project so much. It is my passion, the convergence of science and art.

“When you design a project as complex as the Ciel, you can never let your guard down, you can never say it’s over. It’s a continuous process.”

It comes after incredible plans for the world’s second tallest skyscraper were revealed, which will include the highest nightclub and observation deck on the planet.

The Burj Azizi in Dubai is set to be an staggering 725 metres (2,379ft) high, coming just behind its neighbour and record holder the Burj Khalifa at 830 metres (2,723ft).

Azizi Developments say construction of the £1.15 billion tower – twice as big as The Shard – has already begun, and is expected to be completed in 2028.

Sales for the lavish skyscraper, planned to be over the 131 storeys, will launch next February, but the probably eye-watering prices have yet to be announced.

The Burj Azizi will feature a unique all-suite seven-star hotel inspired by seven cultural themes.

It will also see luxury residences ranging from penthouses to apartments and holiday homes.

The giant building will have a “one-of-a-kind” adrenaline zone and observation deck, where guests can soak up the desert views of Dubai.

Similarly, plans for a £1 billion skyscraper which include the world’s highest infinity pool, a royal penthouse and rainforest were revealed.

Buyers cans snap up an ultra-luxurious penthouse in Dubai that’s situated way up in the clouds – and you wouldn’t ever have to leave.

The £1bn Tiger Sky Tower claims it will break at least five world records when it’s completed – including the highest restaurant and infinity pool.

The Tiger Properties project is home to 18 luxurious penthouses at a whopping 1,398ft and a majestic royal penthouse at 1,400ft – the highest in the world.

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Visitors will be able to experience stunning views of the Marina[/caption]

@yahyajan_design/instagram

Yahya Jan, the architect building the world’s tallest hotel Ciel[/caption]

@yahyajan_design/instagram

It is set to have 1,042 rooms, including 150 suites, which will spread across the tower’s 82 floors[/caption]

Blockchain and crypto technology can drive investment across all sectors and around the country.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lavished praise on goalkeeper David Raya last night. The shot stopper ensured that the Gunners did not lose to Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday. Despite a poor overall display, Arsenal got a 0-0 draw thanks to Raya’s double stop from the penalty spot and thereafter. Arteta stated post-game: “We started the game really well. …

Associated Press ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — As torrential rains sweep through Central and West Africa, floods have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands across the region. The extreme weather has worsened existing humanitarian crises in the countries which have been impacted the most: Chad, Nigeria, Mali and Niger. Over four million

The post ‘Water is flooding everywhere’ as torrential rains sweep through West and Central Africa appeared first on KYMA.

Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is awarding $3 billion to U.S. companies to boost domestic production of advanced batteries and other materials used for electric vehicles, part of a continuing push to reduce China’s global dominance in battery production. The grants announced Friday will fund a total of 25 projects in 14

The post Seeking to counter China, US awards $3 billion for EV battery production in 14 states appeared first on KYMA.

As the NFL’s Colts clashed with the Packers in Wisconsin on Sunday, downtown Indianapolis was alive — but not for football. A half-mile down the road from the Colts’ empty stadium, Gainbridge Fieldhouse was almost full for the WNBA matinee between the Dallas Wings and Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever. The game did not disappoint. With […]

Keep track of the live scoring as the Springboks take on Argentina in a hugely important Rugby Championship clash on Saturday.

Money makes money - and these 10 people have made a lot of it over the years. And by a lot, we mean a LOT!

ANTHONY JOSHUA remains the king of British boxing by mentoring young princes like Moses Itauma who want to take his crown.

Three years ago – when 34-year-old AJ was preparing for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk – the 6ft 3in freakishly-talented southpaw was desperate for sparring rounds and looked like a tailor-made suitor.

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Moses Itauma admitted he was shocked after being overlooked by Anthony Joshua in sparring[/caption]

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The talented southpaw currently boasts an unbeaten 10-0 record[/caption]

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Itauma is part of the same Ben Davison gym as London 2012 hero AJ[/caption]

Team AJ bizarrely overlooked the Chatham wonderkid, despite his identical frame and similar style to the Ukrainian genius.

The snub left the Kent teenager Itauma feeling shocked and confused.

But now the 19-year-old prodigy is part of the same Ben Davison gym as the London 2012 legend.

And they have been bumping biceps and brains in the compact Harlow sweatbox.

Instead of overlooking or undermining the latest generation of British giants looking to knock him off the throne, Joshua is doing everything he can to raise Itauma up to his level.

The 10-0 prospect told SunSport: “I was shocked when they never asked me back for the second Usyk camp because I would have loved to have been part of that.

“I was confused by it but it’s not a question you want to ask a team-mate now – ‘Excuse me mate, why didn’t you invite me for the Usyk camp?’

“I have the privilege to train in the same gym as him now and I was on a walk the other day and I was thinking what I would call him now?

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“And it’s a mentor. Because I go to him with a lot of questions about boxing, in the ring and things out of it, I ask him a lot and he always helps me.

“I am just happy to be in this position.”

Eight years ago, when AJ’s Saturday night opponent Daniel Dubois burst onto the pro scene without much of a senior amateur record, he allegedly grabbed the attention of hall-of-fame promoter Frank Warren by flooring Joshua in Team GB sparring.

And four years ago, when schoolboy Itauma was popping up in gyms all over the country – STILL IN HIS UNIFORM – he was earning a fearsome reputation as a babyface killer even the biggest and best didn’t want to work with.

The comparison between Dynamite Dan and ice-cool Itauma seems clear, but he bats it off like a rival’s jab.

He explained: “When everyone first turns professional, we all need a story to sell and that’s what they sold with Dubois, dropping AJ, or whatever happened,

“My story is different. I have a big amateur pedigree and my sparring story is that from a young age I was sparring everyone.

“But I have never come out and said I have knocked out anyone, because sparring stories are just sparring stories, everyone has one.

ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at Wembley

“I believe Frank Warren has said he signed me based off of footage he saw of a sparring session – but I don’t know who I was sparring with.

“I never found out who it was but I could understand the story because I do well in those spars and that’s where I get my confidence from.

“If I was holding my own against guys with world titles and world title shots, at 15, now I am 19 and I can wonder what I might be like in another four year’s time.”

Watch Riyadh Season Card: Joshua v Dubois, live on TNT Sports Box Office from 4pm on Saturday 21 September. Find out more at tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice.