Denzel Bentley's WBO middleweight title defence sent to purse bids

Denzel Bentley vs Yoenli Hernandez goes to purse bids

Denzel Bentley's WBO middleweight title defence to Yoenli Hernandez has been sent to purse bids due on September 29 after both parties failed to reach an agreement.

Battersea's Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KOs) won the WBO Interim title against Endry Saavedra last April via seventh-round knockout. The 31-year-old Londoner had been out of the ring for 16 months before collecting his 18th KO.

'2Sharp' is a three-time British middleweight champion, who was elevated to from interim to world champion in July 2026 after his old rival Janibek Alimkhanuly vacated the title.

Cuban Hernandez (11-0, 9 KOs) won the WBO NABO belt in March with a fourth-round KO over Terrell Gausha.

The Cuban 'El Diablo' stopped his first seven opponents in the pro ranks, following a stellar amateur career where he won two World Championships in 2021 and 2013.

His two points wins came against top contenders Kyrone Davis and Olympian Francisco Daniel Verón.

Hernandez has the extensive amateur pedigree and the confidence that comes with being an unbeaten rising star, but Bentley has the experience and knowledge of being a seasoned champion, with British, European and World titles in his trophy cabinet.

The free negotiations period was called between September 4-22, but neither parties - Martin Bowers, manager of Bentley, or Leon Margules, promoter of Warriors Boxing - could reach an agreement.

Purse bids will now be called at 11am AST on Tuesday, September 29.

With the purse bids being called on the penultimate day of the September, there's a strong chance their proposed fight could take place before the end of the year.

Yoenli has fought all but his first two fights in America and Denz has fought 90% of his bouts in London.