FORMER middleweight world title challenger Denzel Bentley is urging knife carriers to put down their weapons and try training with Steel Warriors, the charity fighting knife crime.
Steel Warriors uses steel melted from confiscated knives to create outdoor gyms like the one at Langdon Park in Poplar, which Bentley recently visited. The 29-year-old returns to the boxing ring on Saturday night (May 11) against Danny Dignum at York Hall. In between preparations, he spent time with Steel Warriors’ director of marketing and community, Christian d’Ippolito, at the gym, learning calisthenics and showing participants how to operate the Shadowbox.
This week, Bentley talked about his visit and why he’s working with Steel Warriors.
“That’s a good reason. It’s something I’d like to get involved in. When I was growing up, knife crime was a gigantic problem [and] is still a gigantic problem.
“I thought I could show my face and attach myself to this community or reach a wider audience where people wouldn’t see it. I had never heard of it before and there weren’t many people around me. Since the release of this clip and several videos, many people around me have seen it, which is also attracting attention and maybe they will be able to spread the word about what Steel Warriors are doing and working on.
“Fitness is a gigantic thing these days, but gyms aren’t free. Steel Warriors,” he continued.
“It’s a place to exercise, stay busy and have fun or try recent tricks by using the bars and learning about your body. There are no age restrictions, this place is for everyone. Many gyms are open 24 hours a day and you must be over 18 to join. A lot of these kids don’t do that, but they can go to the park, one of those places, and start exercising and taking care of themselves.
Having grown up on the Patmore Estate in Battersea, Bentley knows the devastation knife crime can bring to an area. The former British middleweight champion said that as a teenager he knew he too could easily become a victim.
“I have lost a lot of friends to knife crime,” he said.
“Many of my friends were stabbed and survived. Many of my friends were stabbed and didn’t survive. At one point in my life, when I was a teenager, I felt like I was going to become a victim. When I got to a certain age, I was like… Some people are bad company, but you wouldn’t know it.
“Maybe you were running with a friend who was having problems outside of school that you didn’t know about [about it]. You went to meet him in his neighborhood. People he had problems with come at you and you get caught in the crossfire. It’s that straightforward and it applies to so many people. Not everyone who is stabbed is guilty of any wrongdoing.
Bentley with some Steel Warriors participants at Langdon Park in Poplar
“Boxing saved me. I found a boxing gym and spent most of my time there. We didn’t have any of these outdoor gyms. It was tough to find a gym in those days [because] everyone was under the arches. Steel Warriors are in the park. You can walk in the park, see them and think: Before you know it, there are people teaching you how to do things. No one cares, everyone is cordial and everyone wants to bounce off each other. It creates a little community and then you’re there for hours. It’s good for interaction.”
In the year to March 2023, there were 50,500 crimes involving a knife or keen instrument* recorded in England and Wales*. This represents an raise of over 2,000 crimes compared to the previous year and an raise of over 6,000 in the year ending March 2021.
Bentley witnessed the destruction of some of the parks where he played in his youth. Many soccer cages suffer the same fate, and Bentley says kids need a protected place and something positive to do to burn off all their energy.
“The goal is to keep kids busy. Smoke them. They have fun, hang out, and then come home, rest, and get ready for dinner, bed, homework, or whatever. When they’re outside, you don’t want them to get into anything bad.
Bentley also had a message for those who carry knives to protect themselves or with the intention of harming someone.
– You don’t need them. Just put the knives down, because nine times out of ten knives are there to hurt someone.
“No one wants to hurt someone or take a life. The consequences are crazy. Someone loses their life, then whoever did it goes to jail and loses their life. They sit there for years and regret it. Don’t live in regret. Put the knives away.
“It’s tough to find words. I am not indifferent or unaware of all this. I understand, but you need to make better lifestyle choices. If you feel like you have to carry a knife, try to get away from that environment. Ask yourself, ? You are clearly in an environment that is not protected. Try to find a facility like a boxing gym, Steel Warriors, or whatever, or move out of the area if you can, and try to get out of the situation you’re in. Try not to carry knives because it destroys lives. It belongs to you and the person you hurt.”
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