Following his interim middleweight title win, Denzel Bentley is urging the WBO to grant him full world championship status. Bentley secured the WBO Interim title with a stoppage victory over Endry Saavedra.
However, he believes the current champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, should be stripped of the title due to a failed drug test and subsequent suspension. Bentley, who previously went the distance with Alimkhanuly in a 2022 title fight, argues that the champion's actions have consequences for the entire division.
The Briton thinks Alimkhanuly's penalty should include losing the title, allowing him to become the new WBO middleweight champion. Bentley expressed his frustration, stating that Alimkhanuly lacks credibility and has not defended the title against a mandatory opponent in years.
He emphasized that the WBO's decision affects not just him, but all fighters in the division, who are being 'punished' for someone else's actions. Bentley's team is pushing for the title upgrade, but the outcome remains uncertain. The Londoner hopes the WBO will consider the situation and the voices of fans and media, who are unhappy with the current state of affairs. Bentley's recent victory over Saavedra was an impressive display, and he is now looking forward to high-level fights, including potential unification bouts.
He sees himself as a world champion, given the circumstances, and would welcome official recognition from the WBO.