Denzel Bentley has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization, urging them to upgrade his status from interim champion to full‑blown world champion. The London‑based fighter secured the WBO interim middleweight belt earlier this month after delivering a decisive stoppage against Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena. Bentley's interim title came about because the division’s recognized champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, is currently serving a twelve‑month suspension imposed by the WBO after testing positive for a prohibited substance. While the sanction leaves Alimkhanuly’s title technically vacant, the governing body has not yet stripped him, and Bentley believes the organization should do so as part of the punishment.
In Bentley’s view, the interim champion should be elevated to the undisputed middleweight champion of the WBO. The frustration is understandable. Bentley previously faced Alimkhanuly in a 2022 world‑title bout, going the distance but ultimately falling short. "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 added that Alimkhanuly has not defended the belt against a mandatory challenger since winning it, a period that stretches to three or four years, and now the champion has failed a performance‑enhancing drug test. Bentley’s argument is rooted in fairness for the division as a whole.
"Now I’ve won the interim belt and it’s mine," he said, "but both for my sake and for my opponent’s, the record should reflect that I fought for a world title. If I had won, I could call myself a world champion. Because of the WBO’s decisions, he can’t claim that status, and the rest of us are penalised for someone else’s misconduct." His camp is actively lobbying the WBO for a title upgrade, though they remain uncertain about the outcome.
Bentley emphasized the role of fans and the media in applying pressure: "I hope the WBO sees what’s happening in the division and hears the noise from the public. We, the fans, contribute to the sport, and we’re not happy seeing a champion who failed a drug test still representing boxing." The victory over Saavedra was a significant milestone for Bentley. The British boxer described the fight as a hard‑fought battle that culminated in a seventh‑round finish.
"It feels great. It was my first time boxing at the O2, and I was thrilled to win there," he said. He praised Saavedra, noting that the Colombian is a tough, under‑the‑radar Olympian who does not receive the recognition he deserves.
"He’s physically strong and can punch well. I had to stay relaxed, wait for the right moment, and then capitalize. If he had recovered, it would have been a long night for me." Bentley recounted the pivotal moments of the bout: "I landed a clean shot at the end of the fourth round and thought I had him. The next round he came back aggressively, so I knew I couldn’t let him recover.
I sensed the fight’s momentum shifting, and when I landed that decisive blow, I couldn’t afford to let him slip away." Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑profile matchups. He expressed interest in a unification fight, saying, "It would be an honour to be part of a unification bout.
If I can secure one, that would be fantastic." However, he also stressed that an official upgrade to full champion status would be a validation of his hard work and the circumstances that led to his interim title. "Even though I already see myself as a champion given the situation, having the belt officially recognized would mean a lot," he added. The broader debate touches on how sanctioning bodies handle interim titles when a champion is suspended. Some argue that the interim champion should automatically become the full champion, while others prefer to keep the title vacant until the suspended champion is formally stripped.
Bentley’s case highlights the impact of these policies on fighters who are ready and willing to step into the spotlight. In the meantime, Bentley continues to train and prepare for his next challenge, confident that his performance at the O2 and his outspoken stance will eventually lead to the recognition he believes he deserves. He remains hopeful that the WBO will act in the best interest of the sport, the division, and the fans who demand a clean and fair championship hierarchy.