Denzel Bentley, the London‑based middleweight, has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to upgrade his status from interim champion to full world champion. The request follows his recent triumph at the O2 Arena, where he secured the WBO interim middleweight belt by stopping Endry Saavedra in the seventh round.
Bentley’s interim title came about because the division’s recognized champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, has been sidelined by a one‑year suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance. While the WBO has left Alimkhanuly on the books pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings, Bentley believes the sanction should include stripping Alimkhanuly of the world title altogether. In Bentley’s view, the champion’s credibility has been irreparably damaged, and the belt should be awarded to the interim holder who has earned it in the ring.
The British fighter’s frustration is understandable. In 2022 he faced Alimkhanuly in a world‑title bout and went the distance, losing a close decision.
That experience gave him a clear sense of where he stands in the division and reinforced his belief that he deserves full recognition. "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 hasn’t defended the WBO title against a mandatory challenger since he won it – that’s three or four years now – and now he’s failed a PED test." Bentley’s argument is not merely about personal ambition; he frames it as a matter of fairness for the entire division. He contends that all the fighters are being penalised for the misconduct of one individual.
"Now I’ve won the interim belt and it’s mine," he said, "but my opponent can’t claim he fought for a world title or that he’s a former world‑title challenger. If he had won, he could say he’s a world champion. He can’t say that because of the WBO’s decisions.
The fighters in the division are all being punished for someone else’s actions. The organization should allow the situation to move on and let a new face emerge, letting him work his way back up." Bentley’s camp is actively lobbying the WBO for the upgrade, though they acknowledge the outcome is uncertain.
"I just hope the WBO sees what’s happening in the division and listens to the people making noise," Bentley said. He added that the media and fans also have a role in pressuring the governing body.
"We are not happy that someone who has failed a drug test is representing this sport as a champion. Maybe they can see it from that side," he explained. The victory over Saavedra was a statement in itself. Bentley described the fight as a tough, hard‑fought battle that required patience and tactical discipline.
Saavedra, an Olympian with limited professional exposure, proved to be a physically strong opponent with solid punching power. Bentley recalled, "It feels good.
I’d never boxed at the O2 before – that was my first time. Endry is a tough man.
He doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he’s not a big name, but he’s an Olympian. I had limited amateur experience and I just stopped an Olympian." Bentley explained his game plan: he needed to stay relaxed, wait for the right opening, and then capitalize.
He said he first landed a decisive blow at the end of the fourth round, which forced Saavedra to rally in the fifth. "I thought, ‘Alright, I can’t let him recover next time I hurt him.’ I knew it was close. He was getting more intense each round, so I had to change something because he was trying to take over the momentum.
When I caught him with that shot, I couldn’t let him go." The seventh‑round stoppage came after Bentley timed his attack perfectly, delivering a combination that left Saavedra unable to continue. The victory not only earned him the interim belt but also bolstered his confidence and raised his profile in the competitive middleweight landscape. Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑stakes bouts.
He expressed interest in a unification fight, saying, "It would be an honour to be in a unification fight. If I can get one of those, it’ll be great." Even if a unification does not materialise immediately, he would welcome an official upgrade to full champion status. "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," he added. The broader implications of Bentley’s request touch on how boxing organisations handle title vacancies and interim championships.
Historically, the WBO has sometimes elevated interim champions to full status when the reigning champion is unable to defend due to injury, legal issues, or other impediments. However, the organization has also been cautious, often waiting for a formal stripping or a mandatory challenger fight before making a decision.
Bentley’s case is complicated by the fact that Alimkhanuly’s suspension stems from a doping violation, which many argue should automatically disqualify him from retaining the belt. Fans and analysts are divided.
Some argue that the interim champion should be recognised as the legitimate titleholder, especially after a convincing win, while others maintain that the governing body must follow its own procedural rules. Bentley’s vocal stance has drawn attention from the boxing community, prompting discussions on fairness, the integrity of the sport, and the responsibility of sanctioning bodies to protect the reputation of their championships. In summary, Denzel Bentley is pressing the WBO to acknowledge his interim victory by granting him full world champion status, citing the current champion’s loss of credibility due to a failed drug test and a prolonged period of inactivity. He believes the title should not remain in limbo while the division’s fighters are penalised for another boxer’s misconduct.
Whether the WBO will acquiesce remains to be seen, but Bentley’s determination and his recent performance have certainly placed him at the centre of the conversation surrounding the future of the middleweight division.