London‑born boxer Denzel Bentley has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization, urging the sanctioning body to upgrade his status from interim champion to full‑blown world champion. Bentley secured the WBO interim middleweight title earlier this month after delivering a decisive stoppage against Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena. The interim designation stems from the fact that 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. Bentley believes the punitive measures against Alimkhanuly should extend to the stripping of his world title, arguing that the belt should automatically revert to the interim holder.
He contends that the current champion’s lack of credibility makes it untenable for him to retain the crown, especially since Alimkhanuly has not faced a mandatory challenger in three to four years and has now failed a performance‑enhancing drug test. "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 belt against a mandatory contender since winning it, and now he’s failed a PED test." Bentley’s frustration is amplified by his own history with Alimkhanuly. The two met in a 2022 world‑title bout, which went the distance and ended in a decision loss for Bentley.
That experience fuels his belief that the interim champion should be recognized as the legitimate titleholder. "Now I’ve won the interim belt and it’s mine," Bentley said. "But for both of us – even my opponent – it matters. If I had beaten Alimkhanuly, I could rightly call myself a world champion.
Because of the WBO’s current stance, I’m denied that recognition, and the division suffers. The fighters are being punished for someone else’s wrongdoing.
The organization should move forward, allow a new face to emerge, and let me earn my place without this cloud hanging over us." His camp is actively lobbying the WBO for the title upgrade, though Bentley admits the final decision remains uncertain. He called on the governing body, the media, and boxing fans to amplify the issue, emphasizing that the sport’s integrity is at stake when a sanctioned champion has failed a drug test.
"We’re not happy that someone who has failed a drug test is representing this sport as a champion," Bentley said. "The fans, the media, everyone needs to make noise so the WBO sees what’s happening in the division." Bentley’s recent victory over Saavedra was a hard‑fought affair that showcased his resilience and tactical acumen.
The bout unfolded over several intense rounds before Bentley found his opening in the seventh, delivering a decisive blow that forced the referee to stop the contest. Reflecting on his performance, Bentley expressed both pride and humility. "It feels great.
It was my first time fighting at the O2, and to win there is special," he remarked. "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. I had limited amateur experience, yet I managed to stop an Olympian." He described Saavedra as physically strong and capable of landing powerful punches, which forced Bentley to stay composed and patient throughout the early stages of the fight. "I knew I had to stay relaxed, bide my time, and seize the moment when the opening presented itself," Bentley explained.
"If I’d let him recover, it would have been a long night." Bentley recounted a pivotal moment at the end of the fourth round when he sensed an opening and landed a significant strike. The following round saw Saavedra respond aggressively, prompting Bentley to adjust his strategy. "I caught him at the end of the fourth and thought, ‘I’ve got you.’ The next round he came at me hard, and I realized I couldn’t let him recover," Bentley said.
"He was getting more intense each round, trying to shift the momentum. When I landed that shot, I knew I couldn’t let him get away with it." Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑profile matchups, including the possibility of a unification bout.
He believes such fights would not only elevate his own standing but also bring greater excitement to the middleweight division. "It would be an honor to be in a unification fight.
If I can secure one, that would be fantastic," he said. "Even if a unification doesn’t happen right away, being officially recognized as a world champion would mean a lot to me. I already feel like a champion because of the circumstances, but having that official status would validate all the hard work and sacrifice I’ve put in." In summary, Denzel Bentley is pressing the WBO to acknowledge his interim title as the full world championship, arguing that the current champion’s suspension and lack of recent defenses undermine his legitimacy. Bentley’s own achievements, including a decisive win over an Olympian and a history of competing at the highest level, bolster his case.
As the debate continues, the boxing community watches closely, recognizing that the resolution could set a precedent for how interim titles are handled when a reigning champion is stripped for doping violations.