DAVID BENTLEY has ditched the high life in Marbella for gritty boxing training ahead of his fight against Jody Morris.
The former Tottenham star takes on ex-Chelsea player and coach Morris next Saturday at the Grosvenor Hotel in Mayfair.
Former footballer played for Tottenham[/caption]
Bentley in sparring for his boxing match[/caption]
Graham Stack – who spent six seasons as an Arsenal goalkeeper – is organising the charity boxing event.
And he feared Bentley would get lost in the Marbella sauce after approaching the maverick midfielder to fight on the card.
Stack, 44, told SunSport: “I must say I was blown away by it. I asked Bents, and he said, ‘Yeah, I’m in.’ He said, ‘No problem.’
“I said, ‘No Bents, you realise that once you’ve committed, you’ve committed and there’s sort of no turning back on this.’
“He was like ‘Stacky, put me down.’ And then I couldn’t get hold of him for about a month!
“I found out he was on a yacht and on a boat and he was in Marbella and he was partying and I thought, ‘He’s gonna let me down.
“But Bents is true to his word, he’s not letting me down, he’s committed to it completely and he’s training really hard.”
Bentley – who retired from football at just 29 – co-owns a bar in Marbella.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
But now he is being trained by former professional boxer Kevin Mitchell for his derby bout against Morris.
And the dad-of-four revealed his youngest daughter is fearing the worst – while wife Kimberly is buzzing to see the 41-year-old back in shape.
Bentley said: “My little one was crying a bit, ‘You’re not boxing!’ But it’s life, isn’t it? Life’s a big fight and you got to keep going.
“So getting in the ring, I’m looking forward to it. Yeah, the kids are all right. They’ve come round to it.
“My missus be happy, getting a bit fitter, get rid of the derby! The old “dad bod”. But yeah, getting a bit fitter now.”
Bentley – who came up at Arsenal with Stack – signed for Spurs in 2008 and spent six seasons with the North London side.
Morris meanwhile was at Chelsea’s academy before making his debut in 1996 – spending seven years at the club.
He played alongside John Terry and Frank Lampard – who he also returned to the Blues with as a coach.
So the London bragging rights will be on the line as Bentley said: “He’ll have a full support when they bring the old Chelsea firm with him, won’t they?
“But don’t worry, I’ve got all the old Tottenham North London with me!”
Elsewhere on the card is Curtis Davies vs Paddy Kenny, Leroy Lita vs David Noble, Lee Trundle vs Anthony Gardner and Greg Halford vs Marvin Elliott.
Stack is organising the event on behalf of four charities – looking to raise £500,000.
All funds will be donated to Playskill, Sport In Mind, Willow Foundation, and Helping Hands.
- Secure your tickets at www.proprojectpromotions.com and join us for a night of drama, glamour, and giving back
Jody Morris facing off with David Bentley with Graham Stack in between[/caption]
