River is flowing with confidence for future

River Wilson-Bent…a man who has learned from defeat

RIVER Wilson-Bent, the marauding Coventry middleweight backed by a Sky Blue army of fans, has emerged from choppy waters as a pro and insists he’s a better fighter for it.

The 29-year-old believes he’s within touching distance of an English title fight, with old rival Tyler Denny set to relinquish the belt as he chases British honours.

As the opportunities unfold, River – a tall boxer with an exciting style and knockout power – stays sharp with a bout in front of home fans at Coventry Sports Connexion on March 11.

The big show is something of a carnival of Warwickshire’s best warriors, with Danny Quartermaine and newcomer Danny Costello on the bill.

An opponent is yet to be found for River, but the man who sells a boat-load of tickets will definitely be on the bill. He has to be on the bill.

“It’s crazy, but no one wants to fight,” he told me. “We had a Romanian southpaw who had won 22, lost two and he pulled out.

“All I can do is keep doing what I have to do in the gym.”

Wilson-Bent’s box office appeal isn’t hard to fathom: he’s blessed with film star looks and brings excitement to the ring. That’s why he has to be on the Sports Connexion bill.

He is, to an extent, re-building after two high profile losses. Denny, from Rowley Regis, took the English title with split decision victory: the pair had previously fought a controversial technical draw after River’s cuts became too severe to continue.

In his last contest, in November, dangerous, heavy-handed prospect Hamza Sheeraz overwhelmed River in two with the Commonwealth title and WBC silver belt on the line.

Wilson-Bent believes he’s emerged stronger from those two losses – the only blemishes on a 16 fight CV.

“We’ve been told Tyler will vacate the English title and good luck to him, he deserves to fight for the British,” said Wilson-Bent.

“I’m the logical choice to fight for the vacant title. Tyler beat me narrowly. I had a point taken off and still thought I’d got it by a couple of rounds.

“Look at the unbeaten lads he’s boxed since me, look what he’s done to them. He easily outpointed them and could’ve stopped them.”

There’s logic in Wilson-Bent’s mind-set: he gave Denny two hard fights, two men tipped for the top were, frankly, trounced by the Rowley Regis champ.

“The Sheeraz fight, we had four weeks notice for it,” said River. “We knew it was a dangerous fight, but I was confident and ready to go.”

Sheeraz, unbeaten in 17, does look something special and is destined for world class.

Wilson-Bent believes he’s emerged a more complete fighter from the defeats.

“I was always the guy who had to be the fastest, it was always a rush. Now I’m more relaxed. I’m older and wiser.”

Worryingly, Wilson-Bent has shown a tendency to cut in recent outings and the gash suffered in the first Denny encounter was a shocker. It hung open over his left eye like a gaping, crimson mouth.

He has learned – the hard way – to live with fragile brows.

“I used to think, ‘s***, I’m cut’, now it doesn’t bother me,” he said. “I just let my corner get on with it. It is what it is.”

The defeats have certainly hardened Wilson-Bent and his career glistens with promise. More importantly, his massive fan base still believe.

“I feel I’m getting stronger and I’m fighting wiser,” said the pin-up puncher. “I’ve learnt to box at my pace and I’ve developed a pro style.”

Make no mistake – River is poised to make waves among the middleweight division’s best.

The future’s bright, the future’s Sky Blue.