Wilson-Bent is set to roll the dice again and chase big fights

River Wilson-Bent…back in the gym, waiting for opportunities

EXCITING middleweight River Wilson-Bent’s desire and title ambitions have not been doused by his defeat to KO artist Shakiel Thompson.

And he believes upset wins remain within his grasp.

There were whispers – even hopes in some quarters – that September’s three round loss to Thompson, with the Sheffield fighter’s IBF European and WBO Global titles on the line, would draw the curtain on a career that has seen River face the best in thrilling bouts.

But the 30-year-old is back in the gym and ready to face more iron. One last farewell fight against an undemanding opponent on home turf is definitely not on the Coventry man’s agenda.

“People are going to doubt me,” River – one of the game’s true gentlemen – told me. “That is when I’ll get the opportunities. I’m going to get phone calls for late opportunities. In this game, opportunities come when you least expect them

“It’s all on me. I’ve got to be perfect, everything has to be perfect. I want to see what opportunities come.”

They will come. River Wilson-Bent is a name with a solid CV.

He has given the game a lot during a rollercoaster 24 fight career. He took the Midlands title by sparking out Troi Coleman with one of the best single shots uncorked on TV in recent years.

He drew with future European champ Tyler Denny for the English belt, then lost the return on split decision.

He has faced world class operators Hamzah Sheeraz and Ammo Willams. And, in 2023, he and Ryan Kelly produced a fight of the year for the Commonwealth silver belt. That’s the same Kelly who recently fought so valiantly for the full Commonwealth title against Kieron Conway.

Few pros have provided such consistent value for money. The man has some bottle.

As River put it: “I’ve fought people no one else wanted to fight. I’m not scared of anyone, whatever their power – maybe that’s a good thing, maybe a bad thing.”

Against hammer-fisted Thompson, it appeared a very bad thing. He was dropped by a big left in the second and floored three more times in the following session. When hurt, River chose to trade – to fight fire with fire – and got burnt.

“I under-estimated the power, that’s the main thing,” River said. “I just got caught with a good shot at the end of the second round and didn’t recover. The plan was to box around him, then push him back but I wasn’t making logical decisions. I could’ve backed away, instead I met him in the middle.”

River admits pondering the future following defeat.

“There were doubts,” he said. “Me and my partner sat down and talked about it multiple times. She’s told me to do what I want to do. I’ve still got plenty left in the sport.

“The right fight and right opportunity…There’s no pressure on me. I’m training, ticking over and enjoying more family time.”

Others want to be gently eased back after stoppage defeat. River’s prepared to jump back in the deep end.