Bentley Faces WBO Strip After Appeal Denied

The WBO has rejected Denzel Bentley's appeal to postpone his mandatory title defence, giving the middleweight champion 24 hours to agree to face Yoenli Hernandez or be stripped of his belt.

Bentley had petitioned the sanctioning body to fight Shane Mosley Jr. on November 7 in London instead, arguing that Mosley holds the No. 6 ranking and that he would face Hernandez immediately after. The WBO denied the request, according to The Ring, and informed both fighters they must confirm the mandatory bout proceeds.

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WBO Orders Bentley-Hernandez Fight After Purse Bid

The organisation ordered negotiations between the two camps on September 2. When talks stalled, a purse bid took place on September 29, with Warriors Boxing Promotions submitting the only offer at $200,000. Bentley was entitled to 75 percent of the purse, or $150,000, with Hernandez receiving the remaining $50,000.

Days later, Bentley announced a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing and the Mosley bout as his debut under the new promotional banner. The Mosley fight was scheduled as the co-main event to Chris Billam-Smith versus Cheavon Clarke at Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

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If Bentley proceeds with Mosley, he will be immediately stripped. Hernandez would then fight for the vacant title, with Vito Mielnicki as the No. 2 contender in line. Bentley holds a 22-3-1 record with 18 knockouts, while the unbeaten Hernandez stands at 11-0 with nine stoppages.

The 24-hour deadline now forces Bentley to choose between his promotional debut and his world title.

Source: ringmagazine.com