Denzel Bentley has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to upgrade his status from interim champion to full world champion. The London‑based boxer secured the WBO interim middleweight title after delivering a stoppage win over Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena earlier this month.
Bentley’s interim crown came about because the division’s recognized champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, is currently serving a one‑year suspension imposed by the WBO after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Bentley argues that Alimkhanuly should be stripped of the title as part of his disciplinary sanction, which would, in turn, elevate Bentley to the position of undisputed WBO middleweight champion. The British fighter’s frustration is understandable: he previously faced Alimkhanuly in a 2022 world‑title bout that went the distance, and he feels the current champion lacks any legitimate claim to the belt.
"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 hasn’t defended the WBO title against a mandatory challenger since he won it, which is about three or four years now, and now he’s failed a PED test." Bentley’s remarks continued: "Now I’ve won the interim belt and it’s mine.
But on both our behalf, even with my opponent, in the future he should be able to say he fought for a world title, he’s a former world‑title challenger. He can’t say that, and if he had won he could say he’s a world champion.
He can’t say that because of the decisions the WBO have made. The fighters in the division are all being punished for someone else’s actions. They should allow it to move on and allow there to be a new face and make him work his way back up." Bentley’s camp is actively lobbying for the title upgrade, though the final decision remains uncertain. "I just hope the WBO sees what’s happening in the division and the people that are making noise.
I feel like it’s also up to the media and the fans to make noise as well. We are not happy. We are the fans that contribute to the sport," Bentley explained.
"We’re not happy that someone who has failed a drug test is representing this sport as a champion. Maybe they can see it from that side." The interim champion’s victory over Saavedra was an impressive display of skill and perseverance.
Bentley described the bout as a tough contest that he finally finished in the seventh round. "It feels good. I’d never boxed at the O2; that was my first time as well," he said. "Endry is a tough, tough man.
He doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he’s not a big name, he doesn’t shout about it, he hasn’t really been seen much. But he’s an Olympian. I had limited amateur experience and I just stopped an Olympian." Bentley noted Saavedra’s physical strength and punching power, which forced him to stay calm and pick his moments.
"I caught him at the end of the fourth and I thought I’ve got you, and the next round he put a beating on me and I thought, ‘Alright, cool, I can’t let him recover. Next time I hurt him.’ I knew it was close. I just knew that he was getting more intense every round and I thought, ‘Okay, I’ve got to change something here because he’s going to take over.’ I felt him trying to shift the momentum of the fight.
So when I landed that shot I thought I can’t let him go now." Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑profile opportunities. "It would be an honour to be in a unification fight. If I can get one of those, it’ll be great," he said.
"But it would also be an honour to just be upgraded officially to a world champion, even though I see myself as that now because of the circumstances. Just to be officially one, that would be great." The situation raises broader questions about how sanctioning bodies handle interim titles when the primary champion is suspended for doping violations.
Some analysts argue that the interim champion should automatically be promoted to full champion status, while others contend that a formal fight should decide the vacancy. Bentley’s case highlights the tension between the administrative decisions of the WBO and the expectations of fighters, promoters, and fans who want clarity and fairness in the sport. If the WBO decides to strip Alimkhanuly and recognize Bentley as the full champion, it would not only validate Bentley’s claim but also restore stability to the middleweight division. It would allow other contenders to pursue mandatory challenges without the cloud of a suspended champion hanging over the rankings.
Conversely, if the organization opts to keep the title vacant or arrange a fight between top contenders, Bentley would still have a pathway to the full belt, albeit a longer one. Regardless of the outcome, Bentley’s vocal advocacy underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in boxing governance. His willingness to speak out reflects a growing sentiment among fighters that they should have a voice in decisions that directly affect their careers. As the debate continues, the boxing community will be watching closely to see whether the WBO will heed Bentley’s request and formally elevate him to world champion status.