Denzel Bentley stripped of WBO title after Zuffa Boxing announcement
Bentley captured the interim title in April with a seventh-round TKO of Endry Saavedra and was was elevated in July.
Denzel Bentley's impressive 102-day reign as WBO middleweight champion has come to an end, without a single defense of his title. This unfortunate turn of events was announced by WBO president Gustavo Olivieri on Friday. The British boxer first claimed the interim title in April, following a seventh-round TKO victory over Endry Saavedra.
Bentley claimed the title permanently in July, after Janibek Alimkhanuly's decision to move up to super middleweight. He was granted the title following a purse bid, with Warriors Boxing winning the rights to fight Yoenli Hernandez for a minimum of $200,000. Bentley was entitled to just $150,000 for the bout. Shortly after securing the title, Bentley made the surprising move from Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions to Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, with his debut against Shane Mosley Jr. set for November 7.
The loss of Bentley's title became inevitable, but it was postponed when he attempted to appeal the decision through the WBO's Complaint and Grievance Committee. However, the appeal was denied on October 22, and on Friday, the WBO officially stripped Bentley of his belt. The vacant title is expected to be filled by Michael Zerafa, who is ranked third, facing No. 1 contender Yoenli Hernandez.
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