LiveWorld Transcripts

HBO presents

Boxing Champion Michael Bentt
"Boxing After Dark"

May 20, 2000

"Boxing After Dark" with Michael Bentt, winner of five national boxing titles, discusses in an online interview the ins and out of boxing, fighting, and knockouts!

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HBO: Welcome chatters to the HBO Sports Boxing After Dark chat with Michael Bentt. Michael has won five national titles, and knocked out Tommy Morrison in the first round of their championship fight. He is now writing for Burt Sugar's "Fight Game." So put your gloves on because it's time to get down to it! Welcome Michael!

Michael Bentt: Hi guys! Hi world!

EZGuest57: How did you first become involved in boxing?

Michael Bentt: My dad was a big boxing enthusiast in England where I was born, in London. I came here in '72, and started boxing at the age of 10 years old. And it kind of snowballed.

EZGuest35: How did your family feel about you going into boxing? Were they supportive?

Michael Bentt: My dad was very supportive. My mom was not as thrilled, because she didn't like to see her son beat up, and I got beat up occasionally, as we all do.

EZGuest73: Is anyone else in your family involved in sports? If so what are they involved in?

Michael Bentt: I have an older brother, Winston Bentt, who won the Golden Gloves in New York, in 1985 at Super Heavyweight. He retired after that.

EZGuest149: How much will the poor sales of the last Lennox Lewis fight affect future heavyweight match-ups? Will it force promoters to focus on popularity of contenders, rather than merit and skill?

Michael Bentt: I don't think so. Primarily because it's all about marketing, and just because a fight didn't sell well, you can always build up a market by focusing on the guy's personality. And Lewis, he has been accused of not being very personable, but I think he's a personable guy, but he has to have the right kind of exposure, the right kind of marketing for him.

EZGuest956: Is there an advantage to a fight location? Does one fighter have a "home" advantage in the pro ranks?

Michael Bentt: Not necessarily. People think that if a fighter is fighting in his home town, it's good for him, but it can also be a distraction for him.

EZGuest126: Who is the most exciting boxer in the game today? What makes him the best?

Michael Bentt: I'd have to say hands down Roy Jones, Jr. Because he just redefines the sport. He does everything wrong stylistically, but he comes up with these fantastic performances.

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