Denzel Bentley has publicly urged the World Boxing Organization to recognize him as the outright middle‑weight world champion. The London‑based pugilist secured the WBO interim title after a decisive stoppage of Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena earlier this month, and he believes the circumstances surrounding the current champion merit an upgrade. Bentley’s interim status stems from the suspension of Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, the division’s recognized world champion, who has been barred for a year after testing positive for a prohibited substance. While the WBO has left Alimkhanuly’s belt technically vacant pending the outcome of the disciplinary process, Bentley argues that the sanction should extend to stripping Alimkhanuly of the title altogether, thereby allowing the interim holder to assume full champion duties.
The British fighter’s frustration is understandable. In 2022 he faced Alimkhanuly in a world‑title bout and lasted the full distance, only to lose on the judges’ cards. “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 had not defended the belt against a mandatory challenger in three or four years before the doping violation, further eroding his claim to legitimacy. Bentley’s argument is not merely personal; he frames it as a matter of fairness for the entire division.
"Now I’ve won the interim belt and it’s mine, but the fighters in the division are all being punished for someone else’s actions," he explained. "The WBO should allow the situation to move forward, give a new face the chance to be recognized, and let the rest of us work our way back up without being haunted by a champion who has broken the rules." His camp is actively lobbying the WBO for an official title upgrade, though they remain uncertain about the governing body’s final decision.
Bentley emphasized the role of fans and the media in applying pressure: "I just hope the WBO sees what’s happening in the division and hears the noise from the public. We are the fans that contribute to the sport, and we’re not happy seeing someone who failed a drug test still being presented as a champion." The interim victory over Saavedra was a showcase of Bentley’s skill and determination. The bout proved to be a grueling contest, but the Londoner found his opening in the seventh round and forced a stoppage.
Reflecting on the fight, Bentley said, "It feels good. I’d never boxed at the O2 before, that was my first time. Endry is a tough, tough man. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he isn’t a big name, but he’s an Olympian.
I had limited amateur experience and I just stopped an Olympian." He described Saavedra as physically strong and capable of landing his own punches, which forced Bentley to stay calm and pick his moments carefully. "I caught him at the end of the fourth and thought I had him.
The next round he came back with a beating, and I realized I couldn’t let him recover. I knew it was close, and I could feel him getting more intense each round.
When I landed that decisive shot, I knew I couldn’t let him go." Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑profile opportunities. He expressed a desire to compete in a unification bout, noting, "It would be an honour to be in a unification fight. If I can get one of those, it’ll be great." Even if a unification does not materialize immediately, he would welcome an official upgrade to full champion status, stating, "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." In summary, Denzel Bentley’s campaign for recognition is grounded in both his recent interim triumph and the broader issue of maintaining integrity within the sport. By pressing the WBO to strip Alimkhanuly and promote him, Bentley aims to restore credibility to the middleweight division and ensure that athletes who compete cleanly are duly rewarded.
The outcome remains to be seen, but the boxer’s resolve, combined with fan support, could sway the organization toward a decisive resolution.