BoxRec

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Sep 2026, 18:07 Yh I’d take the mandatory fight. And the. Hope for a big name or big undercard.. or even unification.

Personally, I think that's the best route for Bentley. A win over the highly-touted Cuban would dramatically raise his stock value and open doors for potentially bigger fights at MW or SMW.

However, since his promoter didn't even bother to submit a bid for the title fight, it kind of leads me to believe he's going to vacate the belt. Hope it's not the case but ...

Tim tszyu next in line. Away day in Australia would probably be a 7 figure pay day for Denzel

BREAKING: Per source with direct knowledge, Denzel Bentley has signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing & will face a foe to be named in the Chris Billam-Smith-Chev Clarke co-feature Nov. 7 in London. Bentley will not accept terms of this week's WBO 160 title defense purse bid that would have paid him only $160k to face mandatory Yoenli Hernancedz & will vacate the title. #boxing

– Dan Rafael

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑01 Oct 2026, 03:05 BREAKING: Per source with direct knowledge, Denzel Bentley has signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing & will face a foe to be named in the Chris Billam-Smith-Chev Clarke co-feature Nov. 7 in London. Bentley will not accept terms of this week's WBO 160 title defense purse bid that would have paid him only $160k to face mandatory Yoenli Hernancedz & will vacate the title. #boxing

– Dan Rafael

Hopefully he doesn't get beat

Reports suggest Denzel Bentley to vacate WBO middleweight title and sign with Zuffa Boxing

According to reports on social media, Denzel Bentley will vacate his WBO middleweight title and sign a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing.

This week, Warriors Boxing, promoter for mandatory No. 1 challenger Yoenli Hernandez, submitted a minimum but winning bid of $200,000 for the right to stage a WBO-mandated fight between Bentley and Hernandez.

Bentley, as champion, would have been set to receive $160,000 but, according to Dan Rafael, has chosen to instead relinquish the title and sign with Zuffa Boxing.

Bentley, 22-3-1 (18 KOs), of Wandsworth, London, UK, will supposedly make his Zuffa debut at their Zuffa Boxing 12 event, headlined by former WBO cruiserweight champ Chris Billam-Smith’s 10-round battle against Cheavon Clarke on November 7 at the Copper Box Arena in London.

Two weeks ago, another now former British champion, Hamzah Sheeraz, vacated his WBO super-middleweight title rather than face mandatory challenger Zhanibek Alimkhanuly.

Hmm, not a particularly good look for boxing. Two champions - one with a gimme title fight along with an iffy defense and the other elevated without a fight and without a defense - vacate (reportedly in Bentley's case) their titles rather than face their mandatories. Ironically enough, unlike some of the alphabet orgs and their dubious mandatories, the WBO put forward two legit challengers that presented 50/50 title fights.

I read that Frank has asked WBO if Denzel can have a voluntary.

Announced: Denzel Bentley has signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing, and will fight Shane Mosley Jr on November 7th in London on the undercard of Zuffa Boxing 12.

Bentley was ordered to face mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez next, but he has petitioned the WBO to allow him to make a voluntary defense of his WBO middleweight title against Mosley Jr.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑02 Oct 2026, 08:03 Announced: Denzel Bentley has signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing, and will fight Shane Mosley Jr on November 7th in London on the undercard of Zuffa Boxing 12.

Bentley was ordered to face mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez next, but he has petitioned the WBO to allow him to make a voluntary defense of his WBO middleweight title against Mosley Jr.

Several boxing news outlets have reported that Bentley and his team have appealed to the WBO to allow him to make a voluntary defense rather than fight Hernandez, who is the mandatory challenger for the MW title.

Doubt the WBO will give in the Bentley now.
If they refused a unification fight with McKenna, they definitely won't allow a voluntary Vs Mosley jnr.

I think Bentley Vs Mosley jnr is a good fight though, and alphabet titles aside, if we get that fight and Tsyzu Vs Hernandez out of these events, it's a pretty good outcome imo.

BigEars wrote: ↑02 Oct 2026, 08:17 Doubt the WBO will give in the Bentley now.
If they refused a unification fight with McKenna, they definitely won't allow a voluntary Vs Mosley jnr.

I think Bentley Vs Mosley jnr is a good fight though, and alphabet titles aside, if we get that fight and Tsyzu Vs Hernandez out of these events, it's a pretty good outcome imo.

It's also been reported that Bentley has signed with Zuffa, who also has Mosley Jr. on its roster of boxers, so I'm not sure how that possible bout would play into the WBO's determination.

I have no problem with Bentley choosing the route that will get more money. Boxing is such a short, dangerous career

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑02 Oct 2026, 15:22 I have no problem with Bentley choosing the route that will get more money. Boxing is such a short, dangerous career

I’m with Bentley on this he’s earned bugger all so good luck to him

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑02 Oct 2026, 16:40

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑02 Oct 2026, 15:22 I have no problem with Bentley choosing the route that will get more money. Boxing is such a short, dangerous career

I’m with Bentley on this he’s earned bugger all so good luck to him

I have to admit I have mixed feelings on it.

In my logical brain, I understand and agree with it. In my fan brain, I don't like it and disagree. However, I'm not the one training and grinding and sacrificing to get punched in the face to earn my paycheck.

MPW wrote: ↑03 Oct 2026, 10:17

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑02 Oct 2026, 16:40

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑02 Oct 2026, 15:22 I have no problem with Bentley choosing the route that will get more money. Boxing is such a short, dangerous career

I’m with Bentley on this he’s earned bugger all so good luck to him

I have to admit I have mixed feelings on it.

In my logical brain, I understand and agree with it. In my fan brain, I don't like it and disagree. However, I'm not the one training and grinding and sacrificing to get punched in the face to earn my paycheck.

I understand. Zuffa is a load of pony but if Denzel has made crap money good luck to him. He lives in London stuff that for trying to buy a house there he probably can nod with a Zuffa purse.

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑03 Oct 2026, 12:09

MPW wrote: ↑03 Oct 2026, 10:17

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑02 Oct 2026, 16:40

I’m with Bentley on this he’s earned bugger all so good luck to him

I have to admit I have mixed feelings on it.

In my logical brain, I understand and agree with it. In my fan brain, I don't like it and disagree. However, I'm not the one training and grinding and sacrificing to get punched in the face to earn my paycheck.

I understand. Zuffa is a load of pony but if Denzel has made crap money good luck to him. He lives in London stuff that for trying to buy a house there he probably can nod with a Zuffa purse.

I agree with you, Sean. Bentley is a good but under-appreciated fighter and, based on everything I've ever read about him, a decent guy, so I can't blame him - or any other boxer, for that matter - who takes the best financial offer, even if it means giving up the title.

MPW wrote: ↑04 Oct 2026, 11:16

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑03 Oct 2026, 12:09

MPW wrote: ↑03 Oct 2026, 10:17

I have to admit I have mixed feelings on it.

In my logical brain, I understand and agree with it. In my fan brain, I don't like it and disagree. However, I'm not the one training and grinding and sacrificing to get punched in the face to earn my paycheck.

I understand. Zuffa is a load of pony but if Denzel has made crap money good luck to him. He lives in London stuff that for trying to buy a house there he probably can nod with a Zuffa purse.

I agree with you, Sean. Bentley is a good but under-appreciated fighter and, based on everything I've ever read about him, a decent guy, so I can't blame him - or any other boxer, for that matter - who takes the best financial offer, even if it means giving up the title.

Cheers mate I remember him saying he had like zero cash so fair play to him, hope he gets a paid for house out of it then that’s a massive tick for him. He never effs and Jeffs, always in shape, decent person, go get that cash Denzel

WBO DENIES DENZEL BENTLEY APPEAL

The WBO Complaint and Grievance Committee has denied Denzel Bentley’s appeal and affirmed that he must defend his middleweight title against Yoenli Hernández next.

Bentley and YoYo have 24 hours to confirm whether they'll proceed. Bentley is scheduled to fight Shane Mosley Jr. on Nov. 7. He is expected to go through with that bout and be stripped of his title.