Denzel Bentley, the London‑based middleweight, has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to upgrade his status from interim champion to full world champion. Bentley secured the WBO interim middleweight belt earlier this month with a decisive stoppage of Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena, a victory that has intensified his call for recognition. The interim title was created because the current WBO middleweight champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, is under a one‑year suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance. While the sanction leaves Alimkhanuly technically on the books as champion, Bentley argues that the penalty should also involve stripping Alimkhanuly of the title, thereby allowing Bentley to be acknowledged as the legitimate world champion in the division.
Bentley’s frustration is understandable. In 2022 he faced Alimkhanuly in a world‑title bout and managed to go the distance, a performance that still resonates with him. "I don't think Janibek has any credibility or any sort of leg to stand on to hold that title," Bentley told Sky Sports. He pointed out that Alimkhanuly has not defended the WBO belt against a mandatory challenger since winning it, a period that stretches to three or four years, and now the champion has also failed a PED test.
The British fighter made his case clear: "Now I've won the interim belt and it’s mine. But for both of us, and for any future opponent, the record should reflect that I fought for a world title.
If I had won the full title, I could call myself a world champion. As it stands, the WBO’s decisions prevent that from happening. The division’s fighters are being punished for someone else’s mistake. The organization should move forward, install a new face, and let the rightful champion rise." Bentley’s camp is actively lobbying the WBO for the upgrade, though they admit the outcome remains uncertain.
"I just hope the WBO sees what’s happening in the division and listens to the voices that are raising concerns," Bentley said. He added that the media and fans also have a role in applying pressure: "We are not happy that someone who has failed a drug test is representing this sport as a champion.
Maybe they’ll understand from that perspective." Bentley’s win over Saavedra was a hard‑fought affair that showcased his resilience and tactical acumen. The bout unfolded over seven rounds, with Bentley finally finding the opening to stop the Colombian opponent. "It feels great," he said after the fight, noting that it was his first time fighting at the O2. "Endry is a tough, underrated fighter.
He doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he isn’t a household name, but he’s an Olympian. I had limited amateur experience, and I just stopped an Olympian." He described the fight’s ebb and flow: "I caught him at the end of the fourth round and thought I had him. In the next round he came back strong, and I realized I couldn’t let him recover. I knew the fight was getting more intense each round, so I had to adjust my strategy.
When I landed that decisive shot, I knew I couldn’t let him get away." Bentley’s performance earned him praise for both his power and his patience. He emphasized the importance of staying relaxed and waiting for the right moment, a tactic that ultimately paid off when Saavedra’s defenses slipped in the seventh round.
"If he had recovered, it would have been a long night for me," Bentley reflected. Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑profile opportunities. He expressed interest in a unification bout, saying, "It would be an honour to be in a unification fight. If I can get one of those, it’ll be great." However, he also stressed that an official upgrade to full champion status would be equally meaningful.
"Even though I already see myself as a world champion because of the circumstances, having the official recognition would be fantastic." The situation highlights a broader debate within boxing about how governing bodies handle title vacancies and interim championships, especially when the reigning champion is suspended for doping violations. Critics argue that allowing a suspended champion to retain the belt undermines the sport’s integrity and penalizes active fighters who are ready to step up. Supporters of the current system claim that the interim champion should wait for the suspended champion’s return before being elevated.
For Bentley, the stakes are personal and professional. An official promotion would not only validate his recent victory but also position him for marquee fights that could elevate his career to the next level. It would also send a clear message that the WBO is willing to enforce its anti‑doping policies by removing titles from those who violate them, thereby protecting the sport’s credibility.
As the boxing community watches, the next move by the WBO will be closely scrutinized. Whether they decide to strip Alimkhanuly and crown Bentley as the full champion, or maintain the status quo until the suspension period ends, will have lasting implications for the middleweight division and for the fighters who have patiently waited for their chance at the top. Bentley remains hopeful that the combined pressure from fans, media, and his own advocacy will tip the scales in his favor, and he continues to train with the goal of defending a world title—whether interim or full—against the best the division has to offer.