Denzel Bentley has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization, urging the governing body to recognize him as the outright world champion in the middleweight division. The London‑born pugilist secured the WBO interim middleweight crown after delivering a decisive stoppage to Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena earlier this month. Bentley’s interim title came about because the current WBO middleweight champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, is serving a year‑long suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Bentley believes that Alimkhanuly’s sanction should include the stripping of his world title, which would automatically elevate Bentley from interim holder to full champion.
Bentley’s frustration is understandable. He previously faced Alimkhanuly in a 2022 world title bout that went the distance, only to lose 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 Kazakh fighter has not defended the belt against a mandatory challenger in three or four years and now has a PED violation on his record.
The British fighter argues that the division’s other contenders are being penalized for Alimkhanuly’s misconduct. “Now I’ve won the interim belt and it’s mine, but the whole situation prevents my opponent and anyone else in the division from being able to claim they fought for a genuine world title,” Bentley explained. He added that the current champion’s failure to defend the title and subsequent drug test failure undermines the legitimacy of the championship picture. “The fighters in the division are all being punished for someone else’s actions.
The WBO should move on, crown a new face and let the rest of us work our way back up,” he said. Bentley’s camp is actively lobbying the WBO for an upgrade, though the promoter admits the outcome remains uncertain. “I just hope the WBO sees what’s happening in the division and listens to the noise from fans and media,” Bentley said. He stressed that the sport’s supporters have a role in pressuring the organization: “We are not happy that someone who failed a drug test is representing this sport as a champion.
Maybe they’ll see it from that side.” Bentley’s recent victory over Saavedra was a showcase of his skill and determination. The bout proved to be a grueling contest, but Bentley found the opening he needed in the seventh round and forced a stoppage. “It feels good.
I’d never boxed at the O2 before – that was my first time,” he remarked. He praised Saavedra, noting that the Colombian fighter is an Olympian who does not receive the recognition he deserves because he lacks a high‑profile name.
“Endry is a tough, tough man. He’s an Olympian, and I stopped an Olympian,” Bentley said, acknowledging Saavedra’s physical strength and punching power. Strategically, Bentley explained that he had to stay calm and wait for the right moment. “He was strong physically, he could punch as well, so I knew I had to stay relaxed and bide my time.
When I found the opening, I had to step on it, because if he recovered it would have been a long night.” He recounted a pivotal moment at the end of the fourth round when he landed a decisive blow, thinking, “I’ve got you.” The following round saw Saavedra surge back, prompting Bentley to double‑down on his game plan: “I can’t let him recover. I knew it was close, but I felt him trying to change the momentum. 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 a desire to participate in a unification bout, stating, “It would be an honour to be in a unification fight.
If I can get one of those, it’ll be great.” However, he also emphasized that an official upgrade to full champion status would be a significant achievement in its own right. “It would 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.” In summary, Denzel Bentley’s campaign is rooted in a belief that fairness and integrity should prevail in boxing. With Alimkhanuly suspended and the interim title in his possession, Bentley argues that the logical next step is to award him the undisputed WBO middleweight championship.
He hopes that fan outcry, media attention, and the WBO’s own regulations will converge to deliver a decision that reflects the true state of the division and rewards the boxer who has proven his worth inside the ring.