Bentley Offers WBO Middleweight Lifeline To Battered Conor Benn

WBO middleweight champion Denzel Bentley has offered Conor Benn a title opportunity despite Benn's recent second-round knockout defeat to Ryan Garcia. Bentley acknowledged that while Benn may not deserve the shot on merit, his high profile makes the matchup financially beneficial. Bentley had previously offered Benn the fight before the Garcia loss and remains keen on securing the commercially lucrative bout.

However, Bentley faces an immediate hurdle as the WBO has ordered negotiations for a mandatory defense against Yoenli Hernandez. For the Benn fight to happen, the WBO would need to approve Benn bypassing Hernandez, or Bentley would have to negotiate step-aside terms or vacate his title. Bentley has also advised Benn to move up to the 160-pound division permanently to avoid a draining weight cut.