Denzel Bentley has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization, urging them to recognize him as a full‑blown world champion rather than merely an interim titleholder. The London‑based boxer secured the WBO interim middleweight belt after stopping Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena earlier this month, a victory that has reignited the debate over the status of the division’s top prize.
Bentley’s interim championship comes about because the current WBO middleweight champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, is serving a one‑year suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance. While the sanction leaves the title technically vacant, the WBO has chosen to keep Alimkhanuly listed as champion pending the outcome of his appeal. Bentley believes this approach is unfair and argues that Alimkhanuly should be stripped of the belt as part of his punishment, thereby allowing Bentley to be elevated to full champion status.
The frustration is understandable for Bentley, who previously faced Alimkhanuly in a 2022 world‑title bout that went the distance. “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 challenger since he won it – that’s three or four years now – and now he’s failed a PED test.” Bentley’s argument rests on two main points. First, he contends that a champion who has violated anti‑doping rules should lose the title automatically, rather than being allowed to retain it while an appeal is pending.
Second, he emphasizes that the interim champion, who earned his belt by defeating a credible opponent, should be recognized as the legitimate champion in the division. "Now I’ve won the interim belt and it’s mine," Bentley said.
"But if the WBO doesn’t upgrade it, my opponent can’t claim he fought for a world title, and he can’t call himself a former world‑title challenger. The decisions the WBO makes affect every fighter in the weight class." Bentley’s camp is actively lobbying the organization for a title upgrade, though they acknowledge that the final decision rests with the WBO’s executive board. “I just hope the WBO sees what’s happening in the division and listens to the voices that are raising concerns,” Bentley explained. “It’s also up to the media and the fans to make noise.
We’re not happy that someone who failed a drug test is still representing this sport as a champion.” The interim‑title fight against Saavedra was a hard‑fought contest that showcased Bentley’s resilience and tactical acumen. He stopped the Colombian in the seventh round after a series of calculated pressure bursts. “It feels great,” Bentley said after the bout.
“It was my first time fighting at the O2, and I had to adjust quickly.” He praised Saavedra, noting that the Olympian had been undervalued because he lacks mainstream name recognition. “Endry is a tough, tough man. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he isn’t a big‑name fighter, but he’s an Olympian. I had limited amateur experience, and I just stopped an Olympian.” Bentley described the fight’s ebb and flow in vivid detail.
Early on, he landed a decisive blow at the end of the fourth round, sensing an opening. The next round saw Saavedra respond with a flurry, prompting Bentley to stay composed and avoid giving his opponent a chance to recover. “I knew it was close,” he recalled. “He was getting more intense each round, so I had to adjust.
When I landed that shot, I knew I couldn’t let him get away with it.” Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑profile match‑ups. He expressed interest in a unification bout, which would pit him against another champion from a different sanctioning body.
“It would be an honour to be in a unification fight. If I can get one of those, it’ll be great,” he said. At the same time, he stressed that being officially recognized as a world champion would be a significant milestone in its own right. “Even though I see myself as a champion because of the circumstances, having the WBO formally upgrade my status would be a huge validation.” The situation underscores a broader issue in boxing: how governing bodies handle interim titles and champion suspensions.
Critics argue that leaving a suspended champion on the books while an interim champion holds a provisional belt creates confusion for fans and fighters alike. Supporters of Bentley’s case point out that the interim champion has already demonstrated the skill and determination required to compete at the highest level, and that the sport would benefit from a clear, decisive champion. In the meantime, Bentley continues to train and prepare for his next challenge, confident that his performance at the O2 has cemented his place among the division’s elite. Whether the WBO ultimately decides to promote him to full champion remains to be seen, but Bentley’s vocal advocacy and on‑the‑canvas achievements have certainly put the issue front and centre in the boxing community.