Britain’s Denzel Bentley, who was elevated to full WBO Middleweight Champion on July 21, 2026, has publicly offered Christopher Livingstone Eubank Jr. a shot at his world title. The 31-year-old made his interest in fighting Eubank Jr. clear in April 2026, following his interim title victory, signaling a desire for a significant domestic clash.
This potential fight presents a critical opportunity for 36-year-old Eubank Jr. to finally secure a major world championship, an ambition he’s pursued throughout his career.
Denzel Bentley targets high-profile title defense
Bentley’s ascent to full champion status came after Kazakhstan’s Janibek Alimkhanuly relinquished the WBO belt due to a year-long suspension for a failed drug test. The London-born champion, with an impressive professional record of 22 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, including 18 knockouts, is eager for a high-profile opponent, identifying Eubank Jr.
as a top contender. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) will determine whether Bentley’s first defense will be mandatory or voluntary.
Denzel Bentley hasn’t minced words about his preferred opponent for his first defense as full WBO Middleweight Champion. Speaking with talkSPORT, he explicitly named Eubank Jr. as his top choice. “I’d love the Chris Eubank Jr fight first. That’s a domestic dustup, whereas not many people know Hernandez,” Bentley said, drawing a clear distinction between Eubank Jr. and mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez.
Bentley acknowledges Hernandez as a “quality fighter,” noting that “most Cubans are” skilled in the ring. However, he sees Eubank Jr. as a more recognizable name with greater drawing power for British boxing fans. This strategic call-out underscores Bentley’s ambition to not just hold a title, but to engage in fights that capture public attention and elevate his profile in the sport.
Eubank Jr.’s middleweight crossroads
For Christopher Livingstone Eubank Jr., this WBO middleweight title offer brings a significant decision. The son of former two-division world champion Chris Eubank Sr. has fought primarily at middleweight (160 lbs) and super-middleweight (168 lbs). His recent performances suggest a struggle with the lower weight limit.
Eubank Jr. last fought in November 2025, suffering a wide unanimous decision loss to Conor Benn in their rematch. Reports indicated he appeared “depleted” by the 160lb limit and a 10lb rehydration clause. A move to 168lbs seemed a natural progression, but Bentley’s offer at 160 lbs provides a direct path to a major world title he’s always sought.
Bentley’s path to WBO champion status
Denzel Bentley Ntim-Mensah secured his interim WBO middleweight title on April 4, 2026, with a seventh-round stoppage over Endry Saavedra at London’s O2 Arena. His elevation to full WBO Middleweight Champion then followed on July 21, 2026. This promotion occurred because Janibek Alimkhanuly vacated the title.
Bentley, who stands 5 ft 11 in with an orthodox stance, boasts 116 professional rounds through 2026. His professional record of 22 wins, 3 defeats, and 1 draw includes 18 knockouts, giving him an 82% knockout ratio. He’s currently on a four-fight winning streak since a narrow loss to Nathan Heaney in 2023.
Alimkhanuly’s doping suspension and vacated title
The circumstances that led to Bentley’s full championship stem from former titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly’s doping violation. Alimkhanuly tested positive for Meldonium, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for its performance-enhancing properties. The positive “A” sample was collected on November 15, 2025.
The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) announced the adverse finding on December 2, 2025. Consequently, Alimkhanuly received a one-year suspension from all boxing events, retroactive to that date. He was stripped of his IBF strap and, though initially permitted to retain his WBO title, ultimately relinquished it. This decision paved the way for Bentley’s elevation.
WBO decisions next for Bentley
While Denzel Bentley has made his preference for a fight with Chris Eubank Jr. clear, the World Boxing Organization holds the ultimate say on his first title defense. The WBO will determine whether his initial defense will be voluntary or if he must immediately face a mandatory challenger. This decision will significantly impact Bentley’s immediate fighting schedule.
Yoenli Hernandez, currently the WBO’s No.1 contender, is reportedly nearing a title shot against Bentley. The Cuban fighter presents a different challenge than Eubank Jr., and a mandatory defense would prevent Bentley from immediately pursuing his desired domestic clash. Champions often face these choices when a mandatory defense looms on the horizon.
Bentley has also expressed interest in fighting Liam Smith, viewing him as another “big name” in the division. He stated, “I would like to fight Liam Smith and defend it against him.” This demonstrates Bentley’s broader strategy of seeking out established British talent. Similar to how Jai Opetaia targets David Benavidez, Bentley wants challenges that will boost his reputation.
Implications for British middleweight boxing
A potential clash between Denzel Bentley and Christopher Livingstone Eubank Jr. would undoubtedly ignite the British middleweight scene. It would pit a newly crowned world champion, eager to prove himself on the biggest stage, against a seasoned veteran desperate for a defining world title. Such a matchup promises to be a major event, drawing considerable attention from boxing fans and media alike.
For Bentley, a victory over a recognizable name like Eubank Jr. would solidify his standing as a legitimate world-class fighter. This would be a crucial step in building a lasting legacy as a WBO champion, extending his recognition beyond the UK. His consistent performances, including his recent interim title win, show his readiness for such a test.
For Eubank Jr., this offer represents a significant career crossroads. It’s a chance to silence his critics and add a major championship belt to his collection, an achievement that has narrowly eluded him despite holding various interim and minor titles.
This opportunity at 160 lbs, a weight class that has presented challenges, could define the latter stages of his impressive career. The Conor Benn fight saga further highlighted the public interest in Eubank Jr.’s high-stakes bouts.
Beyond the fight itself, the circumstances surrounding Janibek Alimkhanuly’s doping ban also send a clear message about boxing’s commitment to a clean sport. Bentley’s vocal stance against performance-enhancing drugs reinforces this, adding a layer of integrity to his championship reign. He declared, “No disrespect to anyone, but I don’t respect PED cheats round here.”
Whether this highly anticipated British showdown materializes depends on various factors, including Eubank Jr.’s weight considerations and the WBO’s decision regarding Bentley’s mandatory defense. Nevertheless, Bentley’s bold call-out has already injected considerable excitement into the middleweight division, setting the stage for potentially thrilling contests ahead.
