# Denzel Bentley middleweight title developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/denzel-bentley-middleweight-title-developments > Updated: 2026-08-01T18:28:46.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. In late July 2026, British boxer Denzel Bentley was promoted from interim to full WBO middleweight champion after Kazakh champion Janibek Alimkhanuly voluntarily gave up the belt to move up to super‑middleweight. Alimkhanuly had earlier been stripped of his IBF title following a positive PED test. The WBO also named unbeaten Cuban southpaw Yoenli Hernandez as Bentley’s mandatory challenger. A week later, Bentley announced his intent to pursue a unification bout with WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames, after Adames’ planned fight with IBF champion Osleys Iglesias collapsed. Both fighters used social media to call for the clash, with Adames offering to travel to Bentley’s hometown. The WBO president signaled likely approval for a voluntary first defense, while Hernandez remains the mandatory opponent. Additional contenders such as Jahi Tucker, Vito Mielnicki and Tim Tszyu have also expressed interest in facing Bentley. The situation shows Bentley consolidating his status as the WBO champion and actively seeking a high‑profile unification fight to further his standing in the middleweight division. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-01: Denzel Bentley and Carlos Adames set sights on middleweight unification WBO champion Denzel Bentley and WBC champion Carlos Adames are pursuing a middleweight unification bout after talks with Osleys Iglesias collapsed, with both fighters publicly inviting the matchup. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/denzel-bentley-and-carlos-adames-set-sights-on-middleweight-unification ### 2026-07-21: Denzel Bentley crowned full WBO middleweight champion as Janibek Alimkhanuly relinquishes title Denzel Bentley became full WBO middleweight champion after Janibek Alimkhanuly vacated the belt; Cuban Yoenli Hernandez was named the mandatory challenger for Bentley’s first defense. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/denzel-bentley-crowned-full-wbo-middleweight-champion-as-janibek-alimkhanuly-relinquishes-title --- Cite as: Denzel Bentley middleweight title developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/denzel-bentley-middleweight-title-developments