Denzel Bentley stripped of WBO middleweight title ahead of Shane Mosley Jnr fight
The WBO refused Denzel Bentley permission to make a voluntary defence against Shane Mosley Jnr in London on 7 November, and declared its middleweight title vacant after he did not fulfil his mandatory obligation against Hernandez.
Post by @ringmagazine on X
Denzel Bentley has lost his WBO middleweight title after the sanctioning body turned down his appeal to face Shane Mosley Jnr in a voluntary defence rather than meet his mandatory challenger, Hernandez.
The decision lands days before Bentley's scheduled fight with Mosley Jnr in London on 7 November. Zuffa Boxing announced that contest after Bentley signed with the promoter despite the WBO's order to face Hernandez.
WBO president Gustavo Oliveira confirmed the ruling in a statement posted on social media, which read: “The WBO has officially withdrawn Denzel Bentley’s recognition as World Middleweight Champion and declared the title vacant, effective October 30, 2026, following his failure to comply with mandatory championship obligations.” Bentley had stood to earn significant money from the mandatory route. A purse bid was held, and Warriors Boxing won the promotional rights with an offer of $200,000, of which Bentley was entitled to 75 per cent, or $150,000.
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