Endry Saavedra has refused to criticize the WBO for allowing Janibek Alimkhanuly to remain its middleweight titleholder.
It was in December when, on the eve of his fight with Erislandy Lara, Janibek tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.
In February the WBO suspended him for a year, and in March the IBF stripped him of its title, but on Saturday – when Venezuela’s Saavedra fights Denzel Bentley on the undercard of Deontay Wilder-Derek Chisora at London’s O2 Arena – they will contest only the interim title of the WBO.
That Aaron McKenna and Etinosa Oliha are on course to fight for the vacant IBF title is a reflection of two other contenders’ careers not being held up, but after experiencing a lengthy delay before his date with England’s Bentley was confirmed, Saavedra is not concerned about the perceived injustice that he and his opponent have endured.
“There are inside politics at the organizations,” the 34-year-old told BoxingScene. “The IBF took the title away but the WBO didn’t. I respect that. I respect whatever they based their decision on. I’m just looking forward to winning this fight.
“I’m not really focused on or thinking about that. I’m thinking about this coming fight, which is the most important – in front of me.
“He’s a really good fighter. He’s very dangerous, and I have to be very careful. But me and the whole team – we’ve studied his fights. I have to be really careful and do my work.
“He has good distance, good counter-punching, and he knows how to [use] the ring.
“He’s not at his best when he’s pressured.
“He’s the greatest challenge [of my career], and the greatest challenge that, God permitting, will allow me to change my life.”
Bentley, 31, and Saavedra had expected to fight on the undercard of Joseph Parker-Fabio Wardley at the same venue in October.
“No frustration at all,” Saavedra regardless responded when asked about the delays that mean it has almost been a year since he has been in the ring. “I kept in good shape – I never stopped training. I always kept informed, and knew that the time would come.
“I don’t give it that much relevance, because a true fighter – a professional fighter – always keeps in shape, regardless of fighting or not. I really don’t give that too much relevance.
“I had a really good camp for the original schedule, and even though it was cancelled, I lowered the intensity but I’ve always kept in shape and focused, knowing that this fight would ultimately come to fruition, and knowing that winning will change my life. I’ve stayed focused.”
