Busy time ahead for River Wilson-Bent
River Wilson-Bent…fight dates in Cannock and Coventry
EXCITING Coventry middle River Wilson-Bent has a busy time ahead.
The 30-year-old, who has fought the best, boxes at the Excelsior Club, Cannock, on May 23. After that he’ll be included on GBM’s major show – in his home city – on June 4.
I’ve a lot of time for River. He has an all action style, is brave and one of the game’s nice guys, to boot.
His last performance, on March 9, was something of a concern. The former Midlands champ got drawn into a thrilling eight round scrap with two-fight novice SA Smith and had to settle for a draw.
I had River nicking it, but I expected a fairly undemanding night’s work for the Sky Blue favourite. Instead of sticking to his boxing, River elected to slug it out with a slugger.
Mind you, Smith, from Bodmin Moor, looked a real handful. If tourists have spotted a beast on that wild corner of Cornwall, it was probably him.
“Obviously, I wasn’t happy with that performance,” River’s manager Jon Pegg admitted. “There were a few issues, but I don’t make excuses about issues.
“If that happens again, we’d have to have a serious chat. I thought he just nicked it by a round, but the other kid was a game kid and he may go on to win some useful fights. There were a couple of issues, but you know how boxers are? Boxers are too brave – they just get on with things.”
Wilson-Bent’s 21 bout career is crammed with exciting performances and big names.
Back in 2020, he took the Midlands title by poleaxing Troi Coleman with one of the best punches I’ve seen in a very long time.
He went on to controversially draw, then lose a split decision to Tyler Denny for the English belt. Denny is now European champ.
World ranked Hamzah Sheeraz was simply too powerful, but River gave America’s former outstanding amateur Ammo Williams plenty of problems.
Last October he was outpointed by Ryan Kelly for the Commonwealth silver title in a 10 rounder that was later named Midlands fight of the year.
That’s some fighting CV.
“We’re looking for a tick-over fight in Cannock,” said Pegg, “and something significant on the GBM show.
“I think River can still win titles. He’s drawn and lost by split decision to the current European champion, people forget that.
“He’s enjoying his boxing.”