Denzel Bentley has lodged an appeal with the WBO to retain his middleweight world championship. The WBO has instructed Bentley to make an immediate title defence against mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez, while Bentley is committed to boxing Shane Mosley Jr next on November 7 at the Copper Box Arena in London. Bentley is convinced he should have the right to make a voluntary defence against Mosley and remain champion.
Mosley Jr, the son of boxing star Shane Mosley, is rated No 6 with the WBO and a legitimate title contender after a stunning stoppage win over Serhii Bohachuk in his last fight. "I'm more than happy to fight Hernandez. It's just the situation at hand. We already thought we were fighting a voluntary defence before the end of the year and put things in place for that. This has been thrown on us," Bentley told Sky Sports.
His appeal with the WBO is ongoing. "I think because it went to purse bids it's making it a bit difficult at this point. I think we do have a good case. I did become champion and in their rulings you get nine months from when you become champion until your the mandatory gets called on. We've been fighting this case from before it went to purse bids," Bentley said.
When it comes to his upcoming battle in the ring, Bentley is expecting an exciting clash with Mosley Jr on November 7, live on Sky Sports. "He is on a good run right now," the Londoner said of Mosley. "He's a tough guy, he's got a lot of heart and it's going to be a tough fight. I think it's going to be a little bit of a dogfight."
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing