Denzel Bentley, the London‑based middleweight, has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to upgrade his current interim title to a full world championship. Earlier this month, Bentley secured the WBO interim middleweight belt by stopping Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena, a victory that has reignited his campaign for recognition at the highest level.
The interim designation stems from the fact that the reigning WBO middleweight champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, is serving a twelve‑month suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Bentley believes that Alimkhanuly’s title should be stripped as part of his disciplinary sanction, arguing that the belt should rightfully pass to the interim champion who has already demonstrated his readiness to carry the division.
Bentley’s frustration is understandable. 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, emphasizing that the champion has not defended the belt against a mandatory challenger in three or four years and now faces a PED violation. The British fighter contends that the current situation unfairly penalises the entire division. "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 and if he had won he could say that he's a world champion. He can't say that because of the decisions the WBO have made," Bentley explained. He added that every fighter in the middleweight ranks is suffering because of Alimkhanuly’s actions and that the organization should move forward by recognizing a new champion and allowing the division to rebuild. Bentley’s camp is actively lobbying for the title upgrade, though the promoter admits the final decision rests with the WBO.
"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," Bentley said, highlighting the broader community’s role in pressuring the governing body. He also voiced his disappointment that a boxer who has failed a drug test continues 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 urged, underscoring the importance of integrity in boxing. Bentley’s recent performance against Saavedra was a testament to his skill and determination.
The fight proved to be a grueling contest, but Bentley managed to break through in the seventh round, delivering the decisive stoppage. "It feels good. I'd never boxed at the O2, that was my first time as well," he reflected. "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've just stopped an Olympian." He praised Saavedra’s physical strength and punching power, noting that he had to stay composed and wait for the right moment to strike.
"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.
Bentley described the pivotal moments of the bout in vivid detail. In the fourth round he landed a decisive blow, sensing an opportunity to finish 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.'" He observed that Saavedra grew increasingly aggressive each round, prompting Bentley to adjust his strategy.
"I knew it was close," he added. "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 matchups. He expressed a desire to compete in a unification bout, recognizing the prestige such a fight would bring. "It would be an honour to be in a unification fight.
If I can get one of those, it'll be great," he said. Nevertheless, his immediate priority remains the official recognition of his status.
"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, emphasizing that an official sanction from the WBO would validate his hard work and cement his place at the pinnacle of the middleweight division.