On October 29, 1993, a 28-year-old Michael Bentt (10-1, 5 KOs) got a shot at the WBO heavyweight title held by 24-year-old Tommy Morrison (38-1, 33 KOs).
Bentt came in to the fight on a 10-fight win streak with a 45% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 14 days. Morrison was on a 10-fight win streak with a 84% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 1 month and 29 days.
Michael Bentt made quick work of Tommy Morrison, stopping the champion via TKO in the 1st. Bentt improves his record to 11-1 (6 KOs), while Morrison adds a loss to his record at 38-2.
On March 11, 1992, a 26-year-old Michael Bentt (4-1, 2 KOs) and Rick Honeycutt met in the ring.
Bentt came in to the fight on a 4-fight win streak with a 40% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 21 days.
Michael Bentt stopped Rick Honeycutt via TKO in the 1st round. Bentt improves his record to 5-1 (3 KOs)
On September 13, 1991, a 26-year-old Michael Bentt (2-1, 1 KO) and Willie Johnson met in the ring.
Bentt came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 33% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 28 days.
Michael Bentt stopped Willie Johnson via TKO in the 1st round. Bentt improves his record to 3-1 (2 KOs)
On December 12, 1990, a 25-year-old Michael Bentt (0-1, 0 KOs) and James Holly met in the ring.
Bentt came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 0% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 year, 10 months, and 5 days.
Michael Bentt stopped James Holly via KO in the 1st round. Bentt improves his record to 1-1 (1 KO)
On September 25, 1992, a 27-year-old Michael Bentt (7-1, 4 KOs) and Kenneth Myers met in the ring.
Bentt came in to the fight on a 7-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 11 days.
Michael Bentt stopped Kenneth Myers via TKO in the 3rd round. Bentt improves his record to 8-1 (5 KOs)
On August 14, 1992, a 26-year-old Michael Bentt (6-1, 3 KOs) and Jerry Arentzen met in the ring.
Bentt came in to the fight on a 6-fight win streak with a 42% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 12 days.
Michael Bentt stopped Jerry Arentzen via TKO in the 3rd round. Bentt improves his record to 7-1 (4 KOs)
On March 19, 1994, the 28-year-old WBO heavyweight world champion, Michael Bentt (11-1, 6 KOs), faced a 22-year-old British boxer Herbie Hide (25-0, 24 KOs), in a title defense fight.
Bentt came in to the fight on a 11-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 19 days. Hide was on a 25-fight win streak with a 96% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 15 days.
Herbie Hide stopped the champion via KO in the 7th round of the 12-round world-title fight, winning the first world title of his career, and is crowned the new WBO heavyweight champion. Hide improves his record to 26-0 (25 KOs), while Bentt adds a loss to his record at 11-2.
On July 15, 1993, a 27-year-old Michael Bentt (9-1, 5 KOs) and Mark Wills met in the ring.
Bentt came in to the fight on a 9-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 17 days.
Michael Bentt defeated Mark Wills via unanimous decision in the 10-round fight. Bentt improves his record to 10-1
On May 28, 1993, a 27-year-old Michael Bentt (8-1, 5 KOs) and Danny Wofford met in the ring.
Bentt came in to the fight on a 8-fight win streak with a 55% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 8 months and 3 days.
Michael Bentt defeated Danny Wofford via unanimous decision in the 8-round fight. Bentt improves his record to 9-1
On May 2, 1992, a 26-year-old Michael Bentt (5-1, 3 KOs) and David Graves met in the ring.
Bentt came in to the fight on a 5-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 21 days.
Michael Bentt defeated David Graves via majority decision in the 6-round fight. Bentt improves his record to 6-1