Denzel Bentley has earned himself a second shot at IBF and WBO middleweight champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly following his unanimous decision victory over Brad Pauls.
‘2 Sharp’ returned to action last Saturday, comprehensively outpointing Pauls through 12 competitive rounds to claim the British and European titles in London, England.
This was Bentley’s third win since losing to Nathan Heaney in a sizable upset last year, with the hard-hitting Brit seemingly rediscovering his formidable power.
But still, with his unanimous decision defeat to Alimkhanuly back in 2022 looming over him, the 29-year-old has unfinished business at world level to take care of.
- Read More [Denzel Bentley teases world title rematch following Brad Pauls victory, says he’s now a different animal]
Frank Warren suspects that Zhanibek Alimkhanuly is struggling at middleweight
Bentley’s victory over Pauls has taken him one step closer to a second title shot, with the WBO number-one ranked contender expected to be installed as the mandatory challenger for Alimkhanuly’s strap.
During their first encounter, Alimkhanuly was often forced onto the backfoot by his dynamic opponent, compelling him to adjust his usual gameplan to secure a keenly contested decision.
Since then, the Kazakh has amassed three title defenses while also claiming the IBF trinket, becoming the widely recognized top dog at 160 lbs.
But still, the 31-year-old revealed an element of vulnerability ahead of his postponed clash with Andrei Mikhailovich, who he ultimately stopped in the ninth round.
Alimkhanuly was, in fact, rushed off to hospital after fainting from dehydration during his weight cut for their original fight date.
And so, Queensberry Promotions boss Frank Warren, who promotes Bentley, believes that this could be a significant factor.
“I’m hoping [Alimkhanuly] is struggling at the weight,” Warren told BoxingScene. “But I can only look at the fight last time, and he was going into that fight, Denzel, and everybody’s telling him, basically, he’s going to be there to make up the numbers.
“The first four rounds he was very, very cautious, and he got into the fight, and once he got into the fight he give him a problem.
“[Alimkhanuly’s] a good fighter. But, on his day – on his day – Denzel’s a good fighter. He’s got to be at his best.”
- Read More [Former WBO title challenger begs boxing media to ‘grow a pair’ when it comes to Hamzah Sheeraz]
Could Denzel Bentley face Hamzah Sheeraz in a unification?
According to Warren, the purse bids for Alimkhanuly’s mandatory title defense against Bentley should be ordered in the coming months.
Meanwhile, another Queensberry middleweight, Hamzah Sheeraz, will take on WBC titlist Carlos Adames on February 22, appearing on a staked Riyadh Season card.
Naturally, Bentley and Sheeraz have been on a collision course for the best part of a year, with the two Warren-promoted fighters rising through the ranks at a similar time.
So now, with both Brits gearing up for their world title dustups, a potential unification between the pair could arrive before long.