Jahi Tucker Eyes Denzel Bentley Fight in UK After Cedeno Win

Jahi Tucker wants a world title shot and says he would cross the Atlantic to get one.

Tucker, who claimed three secondary middleweight belts by majority decision over Euri Cedeno at Barclays Center on June 27, told The Ring he is open to challenging interim WBO champion Denzel Bentley in England. "Hell, yeah," Tucker said when asked about a potential UK clash. "I love England. I have a lot of UK supporters, especially when I beat Troy Williamson. … I love a fight with Bentley."

Tucker's Case for a Title Shot at Middleweight

The 23-year-old Brooklyn native believes his recent activity sets him apart in a division lacking marquee matchups. Tucker holds rankings at No. 10 by The Ring, No. 4 by the IBF, No. 7 by the WBO, and No. 14 by the WBC. He told The Ring he is one of the few middleweights willing to take on dangerous opponents while others avoid risks.

Bentley stopped Endry Saavedra in seven rounds on April 4 to claim the interim WBO strap. The 31-year-old Londoner previously lost a unanimous decision to Janibek Alimkhanuly in 2022 for the full title. Alimkhanuly was later stripped of his IBF belt and suspended for one year by the WBO after testing positive for the banned substance Meldonium ahead of a scheduled December unification with Erislandy Lara.

Tucker also mentioned a possible rematch with Yoenli Hernandez, who stopped Terrell Gausha in four rounds on the Fundora-Thurman undercard in March. Tucker called the Cuban knockout artist a formidable opponent but insisted no one in the division can beat him. The two nearly met in March before Tucker withdrew when the bout was downgraded from an interim title fight to a No. 1 contender eliminator.

Tucker next steps into the ring with a 17-1-1 record and seven knockouts, aiming for a full world title before the end of the year.

Source: ringmagazine.com