London‑based boxer Denzel Bentley has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to recognize him as the legitimate middleweight world champion, rather than merely an interim titleholder. Bentley secured the WBO interim middleweight belt earlier this month after delivering a decisive stoppage against Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena.

The interim status stems from the fact that the current WBO middleweight champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, is under a one‑year suspension imposed by the organization after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Bentley argues that Alimkhanuly’s title should be stripped as part of his disciplinary sanction, thereby allowing Bentley to be elevated to full champion.

The British fighter’s frustration is amplified by the fact that he previously faced Alimkhanuly in a 2022 world‑title bout, where he went the distance but ultimately lost. "I don’t think Janibek has any credibility or any sort of leg to stand on to hold that title," Bentley told Sky Sports, adding that Alimkhanuly has not defended the belt against a mandatory challenger in three or four years, and now his reputation is further tarnished by the positive PED test. Bentley’s position is that the interim title he now holds should be automatically upgraded. "Now I’ve won it [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’s fought for a world title, he’s a former world‑title challenger. He can’t say that because of the decisions the WBO have made," he explained. He believes the division’s other fighters are being unfairly penalized for the actions of a single individual.

"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 said. His camp is actively lobbying the WBO for an official title upgrade, though the outcome remains uncertain. Bentley hopes that public pressure—from fans, the media, and the broader boxing community—will influence the organization’s decision.

"I just hope the WBO sees what’s going on 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," he remarked.

He also voiced his discontent with the notion of a boxer who has failed a drug test continuing to be presented as a champion. "We’re not happy that someone that has failed a drug test is representing this sport as a champion.

Maybe they can see it from that side," Bentley added. Bentley’s recent victory over Saavedra was a hard‑fought affair that showcased his resilience and tactical acumen. The bout stretched into the seventh round before Bentley found the opening to finish the fight. "It feels good.

I’d never boxed at the O2, that was my first time as well," he said. "Endry, he’s a tough, tough man.

He doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he’s not a big name, he doesn’t shout about, he hasn’t really been seen much. But that’s an Olympian.

I had limited amateur experience and I just stopped an Olympian." Bentley described Saavedra as physically strong and capable of delivering powerful punches, which forced him to stay composed and pick his moments carefully. "He was strong physically, he could punch as well.

So I knew I had to stay relaxed and bide my time and when I found the opening, I had to step on it! Because if he had recovered it would have been a long night," Bentley recounted. He detailed the pivotal moments of the fight: "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 change the momentum of the fight. So when I caught him with that shot I thought I can’t let him go now." Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑profile opportunities.

He expressed interest in a potential unification bout, noting that such a fight would be a significant honor. "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, he also emphasized that simply being officially recognized as a world champion would be a major achievement in its own right.

"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," Bentley concluded. In summary, Denzel Bentley is pressing the WBO to convert his interim status into full world‑champion recognition, arguing that the current champion’s doping violation invalidates his claim to the belt. Bentley’s compelling performance at the O2, combined with his outspoken advocacy, has placed the issue squarely in the spotlight, and he now awaits the governing body’s decision while continuing to prepare for future high‑stakes contests.