The WBO declared Denzel Bentley's middleweight title vacant after he skipped his mandatory against Hernandez; his Nov. 7 fight with Shane Mosley Jnr still stands.
From 3 reports by 2 outletsLatest WBO confirms Bentley stripped; title vacant effective Oct. 30 after he skipped Hernandez 3 updates 2 outlets
What we know
- The WBO's Oct. 22 notice upheld the requirement for Bentley to face Hernandez next, with no intervening fight.
- WBO president Gustavo Oliveira confirmed the WBO withdrew Bentley's recognition as middleweight champion and declared the title vacant, effective Oct. 30, for failing to meet mandatory obligations.
- The WBO refused Bentley a voluntary defence against Shane Mosley Jnr; he had been entitled to $150,000 (75% of a $200,000 winning purse bid by Warriors Boxing) for the Hernandez fight.
- Bentley signed with Zuffa Boxing, which announced him against Shane Mosley Jnr for Nov. 7 at London's Copper Box Arena.
Reported, not confirmed
- Dan Rafael reports the stripping came in a 28-page resolution after Bentley's appeal was rejected. MiddleEasy
- Darshan Desai reports Hernandez, the No. 1 contender, will fight No. 2 Vito Mielnicki or, more likely, No. 4 Michael Zerafa for the vacant belt; no date or venue is announced. MiddleEasy
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Eubank Jr has been out for a year since losing his November rematch with Conor Benn; Zerafa had been discussed as a possible opponent.
Combat Sports UK
The WBO has stripped Denzel Bentley of its middleweight title. President Gustavo Oliveira confirmed the ruling in a statement on social media, saying the organization had withdrawn Bentley's recognition as champion and declared the belt vacant, effective October 30, 2026, over his failure to comply with mandatory obligations.
The WBO had refused Bentley permission to make a voluntary defence against Shane Mosley Jnr in London on November 7, rather than face mandatory challenger Hernandez. Zuffa Boxing announced the Mosley Jnr fight after Bentley signed with the promoter despite the WBO's order. A purse bid for the Hernandez fight was held, and Warriors Boxing won the rights with a $200,000 offer, of which Bentley was due 75 per cent, or $150,000.
Who fights Hernandez for the vacant belt is not confirmed. Darshan Desai reported that it will be No. 2 Vito Mielnicki or, more likely, No. 4 Michael Zerafa, with no date or venue announced.
The WBO had refused Bentley permission to make a voluntary defence against Shane Mosley Jnr in London on November 7, rather than face mandatory challenger Hernandez. Zuffa Boxing announced the Mosley Jnr fight after Bentley signed with the promoter despite the WBO's order. A purse bid for the Hernandez fight was held, and Warriors Boxing won the rights with a $200,000 offer, of which Bentley was due 75 per cent, or $150,000.
Who fights Hernandez for the vacant belt is not confirmed. Darshan Desai reported that it will be No. 2 Vito Mielnicki or, more likely, No. 4 Michael Zerafa, with no date or venue announced.
- Summary
- The WBO declared Denzel Bentley's middleweight title vacant after he skipped his mandatory against Hernandez; his Nov. 7 fight with Shane Mosley Jnr still stands.
- Key points (one per line)
- WBO president Gustavo Oliveira confirmed Bentley's recognition was withdrawn and the title declared vacant, effective Oct. 30
The WBO refused Bentley a voluntary defence against Shane Mosley Jnr instead of mandatory challenger Hernandez
Bentley's fight with Mosley Jnr in London on Nov. 7 is still scheduled
Darshan Desai reports Michael Zerafa is the likelier opponent for Hernandez in the vacant-title fight
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- Combat Sports UK | https://combatsportsuk.com/news/813b6972-fda0-4e15-9824-c3671ddf8272/chris-eubank-jr-could-lose-zerafa-to-wbo-title-fight-after-conor-benn-rematch
MiddleEasy | https://middleeasy.com/boxing/denzel-bentley-formally-stripped-wbo-title-rafael/
Combat Sports UK | https://combatsportsuk.com/news/27350cbd-13c8-4294-ae4b-2288773e2d9c/denzel-bentley-stripped-of-wbo-middleweight-title-ahead-of-shane-mosley-jnr
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Fighters in this story
Michael Zerafa
Conor BennHow the story developed
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Result WBO confirms Bentley stripped; title vacant effective Oct. 30 after he skipped HernandezCombat Sports UK
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Rafael: Bentley formally stripped of WBO middleweight title in 28-page resolution
MiddleEasy
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Rafael: Bentley formally stripped of WBO middleweight title in 28-page resolutionMiddleEasy
Sources
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