Denzel Bentley’s Yoenli Hernandez Defense Heads to Purse Bid

Denzel Bentley’s first defense as WBO middleweight champion is headed toward the fight he hoped to delay. Talks with mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez have failed, with a September 29 purse bid set to decide who stages the bout.

Bentley had a unification with IBF champion Aaron McKenna in reach. The WBO blocked it, ruling that its overdue mandatory obligation passed to Bentley when he was elevated to full champion. The sanctioning body also rejected a proposed title fight with Conor Benn. Bentley has the belt, but little freedom to choose what comes next.

Bentley has every reason to be frustrated. McKenna offered a UK fight with comm