Britain's Denzel Bentley has achieved a significant milestone in his boxing career, becoming the full WBO middleweight champion. The 31-year-old boxer was elevated to the title after Kazakhstani Janibek Alimkhanuly relinquished the belt.
Alimkhanuly, who has been suspended for a year following a positive test for a banned substance, has announced plans to move up to the super middleweight division. The WBO stated that no mandatory championship defence has been satisfied in the middleweight division for more than two years, paving the way for Bentley's promotion.
Bentley's elevation to the WBO middleweight title is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. He has a impressive record of 22 wins, three defeats, and a draw from 26 professional fights. His manager, Martin Bowers, and promoter, Frank Warren, have praised Bentley's achievement, with Warren stating, 'Great news for Denzel Bentley... A huge achievement for him, [manager] Martin Bowers and the whole team.'
The WBO has announced that Yoenli Hernandez, a 29-year-old Cuban boxer, will be the mandatory challenger for the belt. However, the organisation reserves the right to determine whether Bentley's first defence will be mandatory or voluntary.
This achievement is a significant milestone for Bentley, and he will undoubtedly face tough competition in his title defence. The British boxing scene is abuzz with excitement at the prospect of Bentley's rise to the top.