Denzel Bentley loses WBO middleweight world title with sanctioning body withholding approval for the mandatory defence against Yoenli Hernandez.
THE BRITISH boxer who was interim champ was crowned a full fledged title holder in July after Janibek Alimkhanuly changed to super-middleweight division.
But Bentley was later mandated to defend the belt against Hernandez, the mandatory challenger, with the purse bid, won by Warriors Boxing for $200,000. The champion was entitled to a share of 75 per cent of the offer, or $150,000.
Nonetheless, the 31-year-old was listed by Zuffa Boxing, which advertised a voluntary fight with Shane Mosley Jr on November 7 in London.
Bentley requested an exemption from the WBO to face Mosley as opposed to other avenues, which was declined.
The governing body later stripped him of the championship and vacated the title as of October 30, 2026.
WBO president Gustavo Oliveira told the social media outlet.
“Because he has failed to comply with the requirements of his mandatory defences of the WBO middleweight world championship, his status as world middleweight champion has been vacated and the title declared vacant, and his recognition as WBO middleweight world champion has been withdrawn,” the WBO said in a statement.
The ruling was backed unanimously by the WBO Executive Committee allowing Hernandez a clear pathway to the vacant belt.
