London‑based middleweight Denzel Bentley 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 after delivering a decisive stoppage against Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena. The interim title was awarded because the current WBO middleweight champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, is currently serving a one‑year suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Bentley believes that Alimkhanuly’s title should be vacated as part of his disciplinary sanction, and that the championship should consequently be handed to him.
Bentley’s frustration stems from his own history with Alimkhanuly. In 2022, Bentley travelled to the ring for a world‑title showdown with Alimkhanuly and lasted the full distance, ultimately losing a close decision. “I don’t think Janibek has any credibility or any sort of leg to stand on to hold that title,” Bentley told Sky Sports, emphasizing that the champion has not defended the belt against a mandatory challenger in three to four years and now faces a PED violation.
Having now captured the interim belt, Bentley argues that the WBO’s decision to keep the title on a suspended fighter unfairly penalises the entire division. “I’ve won the interim belt, it’s mine. But for both of us – even my opponent – the future should allow him to say he fought for a world title, that he was a former world‑title challenger. He can’t claim that any longer because of the WBO’s current stance,” he explained.
Bentley added that the fighters in the middleweight ranks are suffering the consequences of someone else’s misconduct and that the organization should move forward, allowing a new champion to emerge and earn his place. Bentley’s camp is actively lobbying for the title upgrade, though the outcome remains uncertain.
“I just hope the WBO sees what’s happening in the division and listens to the voices raising concerns,” Bentley said. “It’s also up to the media and the fans to make noise.
We’re not happy that someone who has failed a drug test is representing this sport as a champion.” He stressed that the sport’s integrity depends on addressing such issues promptly. The Londoner’s victory over Saavedra was a hard‑fought affair that showcased his resilience and tactical acumen. After a competitive early exchange, Bentley found his opening in the seventh round and delivered the finishing blow that forced the referee to stop the contest. “It feels great,” Bentley remarked.
“I’d never fought at the O2 before – this was my first time there.” He praised Saavedra’s toughness, noting that the Colombian fighter is an Olympian who rarely receives the recognition he deserves because he isn’t a household name. “He’s a strong, powerful puncher, so I knew I had to stay relaxed, bide my time, and strike when the moment presented itself,” Bentley said.
Bentley described the pivotal moments of the fight in vivid detail. He recalled landing a decisive shot at the end of the fourth round, which prompted Saavedra to unleash a flurry in the following round. “I thought, ‘I can’t let him recover,’ so I had to keep the pressure on,” Bentley explained. He sensed that Saavedra was gaining momentum and adjusting his strategy, prompting Bentley to adapt his own game plan.
“When I caught him with that shot, I knew I couldn’t let him get away,” he added. Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑profile bouts and sees a unification fight as a potential career milestone.
“It would be an honour to be in a unification fight. If I can get one of those, it’ll be great,” he said.
However, his immediate priority remains the formal recognition of his status. “Being officially upgraded to a world champion would mean a lot to me, even though I already consider myself one given the circumstances.
Having that official acknowledgment would be fantastic,” Bentley concluded. Bentley’s appeal highlights a broader debate within boxing about how governing bodies handle title vacancies when champions are suspended for doping violations. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see whether the WBO will strip Alimkhanuly of the belt and elevate Bentley, thereby restoring clarity to the middleweight division and rewarding a fighter who has already proven his worth on the biggest stages.