Denzel Bentley says he is open to fighting Endry Saavedra in his bid to get a rematch with unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly.
The London middleweight is 23-3-1 (17 KOs) and has won his last three since an upset points loss to Nathan Heaney.
He was outscored by Alimkhanuly in Las Vegas in 2022.
Mexico-based Venezuelan Saavedra, 17-1-1 (14 KOs) drew two fights ago with Cesar Mateo Tapia in a fun fight in Orlando, and two of his last three bouts have been in Australia.
“I had a look at him a couple of months ago, because I found out I was no longer the WBO International champion, and I was looking at who was and I saw it was him,” Bentley told BoxingScene. “And he just won it in his last fight, which elevated him to No. 2 in the WBO, which was Shane Mosley beforehand. So I thought I was fighting Shane Mosley Jnr in a final eliminator, and then the WBO wouldn’t sanction it because he [Mosley] was no longer No. 2. I had a look at him [Saaverdra], and I think that fight is now likely. Janibek’s trying to get a unification bout, but if I won this fight, I’ll be his mandatory and he’ll be forced to fight me.”
WBO boss Gustavo Oliveri wrote on social media today: “Be advised WBO Championship Committee will order an elimination bout between #1 and #2 Middleweight contenders, Denzel Bentley and Endry Saavedra. Negotiation order is forthcoming.
Janibek has also taken to social media to call out WBC champion Carlos Adames this week.
