London‑based 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 belt after a decisive stoppage of Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena earlier this month, a victory that has bolstered his claim to the top spot in the division. The interim title was created because the current middleweight world champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, is currently serving a one‑year suspension imposed by the WBO after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
While Alimkhanuly remains the nominal champion on paper, Bentley argues that the sanction should extend to stripping Alimkhanuly of the title altogether, thereby allowing Bentley, as the interim holder, to be recognized as the legitimate champion. Bentley’s frustration is rooted in personal history. In 2022 he faced Alimkhanuly in a world‑title bout that went the 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. He added that Alimkhanuly has not defended the WBO crown against a mandatory challenger since winning it, a period that stretches to three or four years, and now the champion has also failed a performance‑enhancing drug test. The British fighter explained his perspective on the interim belt he now possesses: "Now I’ve won it 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 claim that because of the decisions the WBO have made." Bentley contended that the entire division suffers when a champion who has violated anti‑doping rules is allowed to retain the title. "The fighters in the division are all being punished for someone else’s actions. They should allow it to move on and let a new face emerge," he said. His camp is actively lobbying the WBO for an official title upgrade, though Bentley admits the outcome remains uncertain.
"I just hope the WBO sees what’s happening 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, emphasizing the role of public pressure in influencing the organization’s decision. Bentley also voiced his discontent with the notion of a champion who has failed a drug test continuing to represent the sport. "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," he added. The victory over Saavedra was a pivotal moment for Bentley.
He described the fight as a grueling contest that culminated in a seventh‑round stoppage. "It feels good.
I’d never boxed at the O2, that was my first time as well," he said. He praised Saavedra’s toughness, noting that the Colombian Olympian does not receive the recognition he deserves because he lacks a high‑profile name. "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 it, he hasn’t really been seen much. But that’s an Olympian. I had limited amateur experience and I just stopped an Olympian," Bentley explained. Bentley detailed his fight strategy, emphasizing patience and timing.
"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," he recounted. He recalled a critical moment at the end of the fourth round when he landed a decisive blow, prompting him to stay aggressive in the following round to prevent Saavedra from recovering.
He continued, "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 unification bout, saying, "It would be an honour to be in a unification fight. If I can get one of those, it’ll be great." At the same time, he stressed that being formally recognized as a world champion would be a significant personal milestone. "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," he concluded. Bentley’s call for the WBO to act reflects a broader debate within boxing about how governing bodies should handle champions who breach anti‑doping regulations.
His stance underscores the desire of active contenders to have a clear, uncontested path to the top of the rankings, free from the shadow of a suspended champion. As the situation develops, the boxing community will be watching closely to see whether the WBO will elevate Bentley or maintain the status quo, a decision that could shape the middleweight division’s landscape for the coming year.