Yoenli Hernandez named mandatory challenger for WBO Champion Denzel Bentley

Yoenli Hernandez has officially been named the mandatory challenger for newly elevated WBO middleweight champion Denzel Bentley.

The decision was included in the same WBO resolution that accepted Janibek Alimkhanuly’s title relinquishment and upgraded Bentley from interim to full champion.

However, the sanctioning body has not yet ordered the fight. The WBO will decide whether Bentley must defend against Hernandez immediately or will be permitted to make a voluntary defense first.

Hernandez has established himself as one of the division’s leading contenders after a successful amateur career and a destructive start to life as a professional. If the mandatory is enforced straight away, Bentley would begin his world title reign against an unbeaten southpaw with nine stoppages from 10 victories.

Image Credit: WBA