WBO Sets Title Fights: Alimkhanuly-Bank Talks, Bentley-Hernandez Purse Bid

The WBO ordered middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly to negotiate with Jacob Bank, while Denzel Bentley and Yoenli Hernandez go to a purse bid.

The WBO issued directives covering both of its premier divisions. At super middleweight, Janibek Alimkhanuly (17-0, 12 KO) has been given 15 days to reach a deal with third-ranked Jacob Bank (20-0, 11 KO) for the now-vacant 168-pound championship. The belt became available after titleholder Hamzah Sheeraz gave it up, with second-ranked Diego Pacheco otherwise engaged against Darius Fulghum.

Bank enters with strong recent credentials, including a stoppage of William Scull, a knockout of Paulinus Ndjolonimu, and a unanimous decision shutout over Pawel Augustynik within the past year. He also previously held a lesser WBO belt, which his team believes warranted a title opportunity sooner.

At middleweight, champion Denzel Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KO) faces mandatory challenger Yoenli Hernandez (11-0, 9 KO), with that matchup headed to a purse bid scheduled for next week. Bentley has won four straight with three stoppages since losing to Nathan Heaney, most recently halting Endry Saavedra in the seventh round in April for what was then an interim title that has since been elevated.

Hernandez, a countryman of Osleys Iglesias, scored a victory over Francisco Veron last month, though the performance showed openings a heavy hitter like Bentley could target. Neither fight has been finalized.