Denzel Bentley has been stripped of his WBO middleweight title. The Brit had been elevated from interim to full world champion in July after Janibek Alimkhanuly moved up to super middleweight.Bentley held the WBO middleweight title for just three monthsGettyHe was subsequently mandated to defend the burgundy and gold strap against unbeaten Cuban boogeyman Yoenli Hernandez.A purse bid was then ordered, which Hernandez’s promoter, Warriors Boxing, won with a minimum offer of $200,000.As the champion, Bentley had been due a 75 per cent split ($150,000).Bentley chose instead to sign with Zuffa Boxing and booked a fight with Shane Mosley Jr on November 7 in London.An appeal was lodged to the WBO by Bentley’s team, requesting a voluntary defence against Mosley Jr.The WBO Executive Committee denied the request, resulting in Bentley being forced to relinquish his title after just three months and zero defences.Britain is now down to five current world champions as a result.“The WBO has officially withdrawn Denzel Bentley’s recognition as World Middleweight Champion and declared the title vacant, effective October 30, 2026, following his failure to comply with mandatory championship obligations,” a statement from the WBO read.“The decision was unanimously ratified by the WBO Executive Committee.”What happens with the WBO middleweight title now?The WBO will now look to book a vacant world title fight between Hernandez and another ranked contender.Hernandez will now face a fellow ranked WBO contender for the vacant beltGettyAt the time of writing, Vito Mielnicki Jr is the next highest-ranked boxer by the WBO at No.2.Mielnicki Jr is riding high off a career-best win against Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams in September.The rest of the WBO’s top five is made up of Tim Tszyu, Michael Zerafa and Fiodor Czerkaszyn.Tszyu is expected to face WBA 160lbs champion Erislandy Lara in his next outing in late November, ruling him out.Zerafa and Czerkaszyn are both without fights and could land a shot at the belt if Mielnicki Jr chooses to pass on the opportunity. Watch Boxing on DAZN*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenueSign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.Click here to sign up.