London‑born boxer Denzel Bentley has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to upgrade his status from interim champion to full‑blown world champion. Bentley secured the WBO interim middleweight crown after a decisive stoppage of Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena earlier this month, a victory that has reignited the conversation about the rightful holder of the division’s top belt. The current situation stems from the suspension of Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, the organization’s recognized middleweight champion, who has been barred for a year after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Because Alimkhanuly’s sanction remains in effect, the WBO left the interim title in place, effectively leaving Bentley as a placeholder rather than the official titleholder.
Bentley, however, believes that Alimkhanuly should be stripped of the belt as part of his punishment, arguing that the sanction should extend to the championship itself. "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 crown against a mandatory challenger since winning it, a period that stretches over three to four years, and now the champion has also failed a performance‑enhancing drug test.
The British fighter’s frustration is compounded by his own recent history with Alimkhanuly. In 2022, Bentley went the distance with the Kazakh boxer in a world‑title bout, ultimately losing a hard‑fought decision. That experience, he says, gives him a unique perspective on what the division deserves.
"Now I’ve won the interim belt and it’s mine," Bentley explained, "but the way the WBO is handling the situation means my opponent can still claim he fought for a world title, even though he lost. He can’t call himself a world champion because of the organization’s decisions." Bentley argues that the entire middleweight division is being unfairly penalised for the actions of one athlete. He urges the governing body to move forward, allowing a new face to step into the spotlight and earn the recognition that comes with a full championship.
His camp is actively lobbying for the upgrade, though Bentley admits the final decision rests with the WBO’s leadership. "I just hope the WBO sees what’s happening in the division and hears the noise from fans and the media," he said.
"We, the supporters, are part of the sport, and we’re not happy seeing someone who failed a drug test still being presented as a champion." Bentley’s recent performance against Saavedra was a showcase of his skill and determination. The bout proved to be a grueling contest, with both fighters exchanging heavy blows before Bentley found the opening he needed in the seventh round.
"It feels great," he said, reflecting on his first appearance at the O2. "Endry is a tough opponent.
He doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he isn’t a household name, but he’s an Olympian and a very strong, technically sound boxer." Bentley described his tactical approach: he stayed relaxed, bided his time, and waited for the precise moment to strike. "I caught him at the end of the fourth round and thought, ‘I’ve got you.’ The next round he came at me hard, and I realized I couldn’t let him recover. I knew the fight was getting more intense each round, so I had to change my strategy before he took over," Bentley recounted. He further explained the decisive sequence that led to the stoppage: "When I landed that decisive shot, I knew I couldn’t let him get away.
He was trying to shift the momentum, and I had to finish it before he could recover." Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑profile opportunities. He expressed interest in a potential unification bout, saying, "It would be an honour to be part of a unification fight. If I can secure one, that would be fantastic." At the same time, he emphasized that being officially recognized as a world champion would validate his hard work and the circumstances that have placed him in this position. "Even though I already see myself as a champion because of what’s happened, having the official title would mean a lot," he added.
In summary, Denzel Bentley’s request to the WBO is rooted in a desire for fairness and clarity within the middleweight division. With Alimkhanuly suspended and the interim belt currently in his possession, Bentley believes the logical next step is to award him the full world championship, thereby restoring integrity to the sport and rewarding the effort he has already demonstrated inside the ring.