Denzel Bentley, the London‑based middleweight, has publicly appealed to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to upgrade his current standing from interim champion to full world champion. Earlier this month, Bentley secured the WBO interim middleweight belt by delivering a decisive stoppage against Endry Saavedra at the O2 Arena, a victory that has bolstered his claim for full recognition. The interim title was awarded because the division’s official 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 infraction warrants the outright stripping of the world title, thereby making Bentley the rightful holder of the WBO middleweight championship.
Bentley’s frustration is understandable. He previously faced Alimkhanuly in a 2022 world title bout that went the distance, giving him a personal stake in the matter. "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 been three or four years – and now he’s failed a PED test." Having just captured the interim belt, Bentley feels the title should be elevated without delay.
"Now I’ve won it and it’s mine. But both for my sake and for my opponent’s future, the champion should be able to say he fought for a world title and is a former world‑title challenger.
If he had won, he could claim to be a world champion. He can’t say that because of the WBO’s decisions," he explained.
Bentley added that the current situation penalises every fighter in the division for the actions of a single individual. "The fighters in the division are all being punished for someone else’s actions. The organization should allow things to move forward and let a new face emerge, letting him work his way back up," he asserted. Bentley’s camp is actively lobbying for the title upgrade, though the outcome remains uncertain.
"I just hope the WBO sees what’s happening in the division and hears the voices that are making noise. It’s also up to the media and the fans to amplify the message. We are not happy. We are the fans who contribute to the sport," Bentley said, emphasizing the broader community’s role in pressuring the sanctioning body.
He continued, "We’re not happy that someone who failed a drug test is representing this sport as a champion. Maybe they’ll understand it from that perspective." The boxer’s recent performance against Saavedra was a showcase of skill and determination.
After a grueling contest, Bentley broke through in the seventh round to secure the stoppage, a moment he described as both exhilarating and historic. "It feels good. I’d never boxed at the O2 before – that was my first time," Bentley remarked. "Endry is a tough, tough man.
He doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he isn’t a big name, he doesn’t shout about himself, and he hasn’t been seen much. But he’s an Olympian. I had limited amateur experience and I just stopped an Olympian." Bentley highlighted Saavedra’s physical strength and punching power, noting that he had to stay composed and wait for the right opening.
"He was strong physically, he could punch well, so I knew I had to stay relaxed, bide my time, and when I saw the opening, I had to take it. If he had recovered, it would have been a long night," he said. Recalling the fight’s pivotal moments, Bentley explained, "I caught him at the end of the fourth and thought I had him.
The next round he came at me hard, and I thought, ‘Alright, I can’t let him recover.’ I knew it was close. I could feel him getting more intense each round, and I realized I needed to change something because he was trying to take over the momentum. When I landed that shot, I knew I couldn’t let him go now." Looking ahead, Bentley is eager for higher‑profile matchups.
"It would be an honour to be in a unification fight. If I can get one of those, it’ll be great," he said. Yet, even without a unification bout, formal recognition as a world champion would mean a great deal to him.
"It would also be an honour to be officially upgraded to a world champion, even though I already see myself as that because of the circumstances. To be officially one, that would be great," Bentley concluded. In summary, Denzel Bentley’s appeal to the WBO is rooted in both personal ambition and a broader sense of fairness for the division. With the current champion under suspension for a doping violation, Bentley believes the interim title should be converted into the full world title, allowing him to compete and be celebrated as the legitimate middleweight champion.
The boxing community, media, and fans are now watching closely to see whether the WBO will respond to his request and adjust the championship hierarchy accordingly.