A new WBO middleweight champion will emerge in the coming months.
Denzel Bentley was officially stripped of his 160-pound title for failing to notify the sanctioning body that he would fight Yoenli Hernandez, his mandatory challenger and No. 1 contender.
The WBO gave Bentley and Hernandez 24 hours to inform them of their decision on October 22.
Bentley's problem is his current obligation. The 31-year-old from London is scheduled to face Shane Mosley Jr. on a Zuffa Boxing show on November 7 at Copper Box Arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. However, prior to that announcement, the WBO ordered a purse bid for Bentley vs. Hernandez on September 29.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPfD_If5FGc
Warriors Boxing Promotions, the lone participant, won the rights to that bout with a $200,000 bid. Bentley was entitled to at least 75%, or $150,000, while Hernandez would’ve earned $50,000.
Nevertheless, Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KOs) opted to go through with his scheduled bout against Mosley Jr., which led to him being stripped.
In the immediate aftermath, Hernandez (11-0, 9 KOs) will face the highest-rated contender. Right now, Vito Mielnicki, slotted at No. 2 in the sanctioning body, would likely get the call. The 24-year-old from Belleville, New Jersey, is coming off a one-sided victory over former titleholder challenger Austin “Ammo” Williams.
In Hernandez’s last appearance, on August 22 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, he eked out a majority decision against Francisco Veron.
