Denzel Bentley has publicly called for Janibek Alimkhanuly to be stripped of his world middleweight title, following Alimkhanuly's recent doping violation. The Kazakh champion tested positive for the banned substance Meldonium, leading to a 12-month ban imposed by the WBO and a six-month suspension by the Kazakhstan Professional Boxing Federation. In light of these developments, Bentley believes that the integrity of the title must be upheld and that Alimkhanuly should no longer hold his championship status.

In April, Bentley is set to face Endry Saavedra for the interim WBO middleweight title. The bout is significant, as the victor is expected to challenge Alimkhanuly for the full title once he completes his suspension. Bentley, who previously lost to Alimkhanuly four years ago, is eager to rectify that loss and seeks an opportunity to compete for the championship in his home country of the UK. This fight adds further depth to the competitive middleweight landscape and highlights the stakes involved for Bentley specifically.

The implications of Alimkhanuly’s ban extend beyond just his title status; they bring into question the regulations surrounding doping in boxing and how they are enforced. Bentley’s call to strip Alimkhanuly could stimulate a broader conversation about fairness in the sport, the significance of title legitimacy, and how organizations like the WBO manage cases of doping. As the interim title bout approaches, all eyes will be on the outcome and whether Bentley will indeed face Alimkhanuly in the future, assuming the latter's return to the ring is authorized.