London‑born boxer Denzel Bentley has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to upgrade his status from interim champion to full‑blown world champion. The request follows his recent triumph at the O2 Arena, where he secured the WBO interim middleweight title by stopping Endry Saavedra in the seventh round.
Bentley’s push for recognition is rooted in the ongoing controversy surrounding the current middleweight champion, Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, who is serving a twelve‑month suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Alimkhanuly, who originally claimed the WBO middleweight crown, has not defended the belt against a mandatory challenger since winning it, a period that stretches to three or four years. Bentley argues that the champion’s failure to meet his obligations, coupled with the doping violation, should result in the title being stripped. In his view, the sanction imposed on Alimkhanuly should also include the removal of his championship status, thereby clearing the way for Bentley, the interim titleholder, to be recognized as the division’s legitimate champion.
The British fighter’s frustration is amplified by his personal history with Alimkhanuly. In 2022, Bentley traveled to the United States for a world‑title bout against the Kazakh boxer and was forced to go 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 Alimkhanuly has not faced a mandatory challenger and has now failed a performance‑enhancing drug test.
"He hasn't defended the WBO title against a mandatory opponent since he won it, which is about three or four years now and now he's failed a PED test," Bentley added. Having captured the interim belt, Bentley feels the title should now be his outright. "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," he explained. Bentley believes that the current situation unfairly punishes every fighter in the middleweight division for the misconduct of a single individual.
"The fighters in the division are all being punished for someone else's actions. They should allow it to move on and allow there to be a new face and make him work his way back up," he said. Bentley's camp is actively lobbying the WBO for an official title upgrade, though the governing body has yet to announce a decision. "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 remarked, underscoring the broader community’s role in pressuring the organization. He added, "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's victory over Saavedra was a hard‑fought affair that showcased his resilience and tactical acumen.
The bout was a grueling contest, but Bentley managed to find the decisive opening in the seventh round, delivering a stoppage that sent the crowd into a roar. "It feels good. I'd never boxed at the O2, that was my first time as well," Bentley said after the fight. He praised Saavedra, noting that the Mexican opponent is a tough, under‑appreciated fighter who never received the spotlight he deserved.
"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," Bentley observed.
Bentley described Saavedra's physical strength and punching power, explaining 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," he recounted. He detailed the pivotal moments of the fight, noting that he landed a significant blow at the end of the fourth round, prompting Saavedra to launch a furious counter‑attack in the following round. "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.'" Bentley said.
Recognizing the increasing intensity from Saavedra as the fight progressed, Bentley adjusted his strategy, refusing to allow his opponent to seize momentum. "I knew it was close," he admitted. "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 opportunities. He expressed interest in a potential 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, 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," he concluded. Bentley's appeal highlights a broader debate within boxing about how governing bodies handle title vacancies, interim championships, and the repercussions of doping violations. His case may set a precedent for how the sport addresses similar scenarios in the future, balancing the rights of interim champions with the need for clear, consistent policies that protect the integrity of world titles.