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. Bentley secured the WBO interim middleweight belt earlier this month after delivering a decisive stoppage against Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena.
The interim status exists because the division’s recognized champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, is under a one‑year suspension imposed by the WBO after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Bentley argues that Alimkhanuly’s title should be vacated as part of his disciplinary measures, which would automatically elevate Bentley to the position of undisputed WBO middleweight champion.
He feels that the current arrangement is unfair, especially given his own history with the Kazakh fighter. In 2022, Bentley went the full distance with Alimkhanuly in a world title bout, a fight that ended in a loss for the Briton but demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level. "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 has not defended the WBO belt against a mandatory challenger since winning it, a period that stretches over three to four years, and now the champion has also failed a performance‑enhancing drug test.
Bentley’s frustration is evident. "Now I’ve won the interim belt and it’s mine. But if we look at the bigger picture, both my opponent and I deserve the chance to be recognised as having fought for a world title," he said. "He can’t claim to be a former world title challenger if the governing body doesn’t acknowledge the fight’s significance.
If he had won, he could call himself a world champion; he can’t make that claim because of the WBO’s current decisions." He continued, "The entire division is being penalised for one man’s mistake. The organization should move forward, allow a new face to emerge, and let the fighters earn their way back up the ladder without being held hostage by someone else’s infraction." Bentley’s camp is actively lobbying for the title upgrade, though they acknowledge the final decision rests with the WBO. "I just hope the WBO sees what’s happening in the division and hears the voices of those making noise," Bentley explained. "It’s also up to the media and the fans to keep the pressure on.
We’re not happy with a champion who has failed a drug test representing this sport. Maybe if they look at it from that angle, they’ll understand our position." The interim victory over Saavedra was a showcase of Bentley’s skill and determination. The bout proved to be a grueling contest, but Bentley found the opening he needed in the seventh round and finished the fight with a decisive stoppage. "It feels great," he said after the win.
"It was my first time fighting at the O2, and I was thrilled to perform on that stage. Endry is a tough opponent; he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves because he isn’t a household name, but he’s an Olympian and a formidable fighter." Bentley praised Saavedra’s physicality and punching power, noting that he had to stay composed and wait for the right moment to strike. "He was strong, he could punch well, so I knew I had to stay relaxed and bide my time.
When the opening appeared, I had to capitalize on it, because if he recovered, it would have been a long night for me," he recalled. He described a pivotal moment in the fourth round when he landed a clean shot that seemed to turn the tide. "I thought, ‘I’ve got you.’ The next round he came at me hard, and I realized I couldn’t let him recover. I could feel the fight intensifying each round, and I knew I had to adjust my strategy or he would take control.
When I landed that decisive blow, I knew I couldn’t let him slip away." Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑profile match‑ups. He expressed a desire to compete in a unification bout, stating, "It would be an honour to be part of a unification fight. If I can secure one of those, it would be fantastic." At the same time, he emphasised that being officially recognised as a world champion would hold personal significance. "Even though I already see myself as a world champion because of the circumstances, having that official status would mean a lot.
It would validate everything I’ve worked for." In summary, Denzel Bentley’s plea to the WBO is rooted in a belief that the interim title should be elevated to full champion status following Alimkhanuly’s suspension. He argues that the division deserves clarity and that the current champion’s misconduct should not cast a shadow over the entire weight class.
As the debate continues, Bentley remains focused on his next steps in the ring, hoping that his performance and the support of fans and media will sway the governing body toward a decision that reflects fairness and the sport’s integrity.