Patience has a way of testing the most determined fighters. Denzel Bentley knows that better than most. The WBO first ordered this elimination fight between Bentley and Venezuela’s Endry Saavedra nine months ago. It was supposed to happen on the Parker–Wardley undercard in October. Then January. Then again, delays. Now, finally, it lands on the biggest possible stage — the O2 Arena, London, on Saturday April 4, 2026, supporting the Wilder vs Chisora main event. The prize at stake: the vacant WBO Interim World Middleweight Title, and with it a mandatory shot at WBO glory.
“I can’t explain how relieved I am I’ve finally got a date,” Bentley told BoxingScene. After months of false starts, that relief now needs to be channelled into 12 rounds of maximum focus against a dangerous Venezuelan puncher.
Denzel “2 Sharp” Bentley (21-3-1) from London has built his career through hard graft and a willingness to step up when the moments have mattered. At 30 years old, he is entering his prime years, and the story of his career so far has all the hallmarks of a fighter who has learnt more from his defeats than from his wins.
He lost to Janibek Alimkhanuly in November 2022 when the Kazakhstani powerhouse was at his absolute best — a UD defeat that, in context, was no disgrace. He then suffered a painful loss to Nathan Heaney in November 2023, losing his British and European titles on a majority decision. Those back-to-back setbacks might have broken a lesser fighter’s spirit.
Instead, Bentley rebuilt methodically. Three consecutive wins in 2024 — TKO R2 over Danny Dignum in May, TKO R2 over Derrick Osaze in August, and a showcase UD over Brad Pauls in December to reclaim the British and European titles — tell the story of a fighter who has found his footing at 160 lbs. The power is undeniable: two of his last three wins came inside the distance in under two rounds.
Endry “El Chino” Saavedra (17-1-1) from Venezuela is one of boxing’s quietly dangerous prospects — the type of fighter who arrives in the UK without the spotlight and leaves having made a serious statement. At 34, he brings a calm, composed style to this fight, and the fact that his only professional loss came at world-level tells its own story.
Saavedra’s recent form is instructive: a TKO R8 win over Mikkel Nielsen in May 2025 demonstrated both his durability and his ability to break opponents down over multiple rounds, followed by a draw against Mateo Tapia in October 2024 that kept his WBO ranking intact. He arrives unbeaten at this level of the WBO’s rankings, with experience of fighting under world-title pressure and a reach advantage over Bentley that could prove significant.
| Denzel Bentley | Endry Saavedra | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 30 | 34 |
| Nationality | England | Venezuela |
| Record | 21-3-1 | 17-1-1 |
| Height | 5’11” / 180cm | 5’10” / 179cm |
| Reach | 72” / 183cm | 74” / 188cm |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Division | Middleweight | Middleweight |
| Debut | 2017 | 2018 |
The physical measurements are remarkably close — this is a fight between two similar-sized middleweights. Saavedra holds a 2-inch reach advantage at 74 inches, which in a division where inside work and body shots are currency, may matter less than ring generalship and timing.
What the numbers cannot capture: Bentley’s domestic experience, crowd support, and the added edge of fighting for a world title on home soil.
Denzel Bentley (last 5 fights):
| Result | Opponent | Method | Rd | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ W | Brad Pauls | UD | 12 | Dec 2024 |
| ✅ W | Derrick Osaze | TKO | 2 | Aug 2024 |
| ✅ W | Danny Dignum | TKO | 2 | May 2024 |
| ❌ L | Nathan Heaney | MD | 12 | Nov 2023 |
| ✅ W | Kieran Smith | TKO | 1 | Apr 2023 |
Endry Saavedra (recent fights):
| Result | Opponent | Method | Rd | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ W | Mikkel Nielsen | TKO | 8 | May 2025 |
| 🤝 D | Mateo Tapia | Draw | 10 | Oct 2024 |
Bentley’s recent form is electric. Three wins in 2024, with two inside two rounds — the TKO R2 finishes over Dignum and Osaze demonstrate a fighter who has sharpened his power and improved his distance management. The UD over Pauls over 12 rounds proved he can also go the distance when the fight demands it.
Saavedra’s form is harder to read — only two recent fights available, but a TKO over Nielsen shows finishing instinct, and surviving 10 rounds with Tapia to a draw demonstrates chin and composure.
Bentley is at his best when he can establish his jab and build combinations behind it — he is a pressure fighter with fast hands and good output. The TKO wins over Osaze and Dignum both came from sustained pressure that broke his opponents in early rounds: Bentley set the tempo, controlled the centre, and forced mistakes.
Saavedra, with the longer reach, will likely try to box on the outside in the early rounds — keeping Bentley honest with the jab and looking to time him on the way in. His TKO win over Nielsen came in round 8, suggesting he is a slow-burning fighter who builds into performances. If he can weather the early Bentley pressure and still be sharp in the mid-rounds, the fight could swing his way.
The critical question: can Bentley apply his trademark pressure against a longer, more experienced opponent without getting caught by Saavedra’s right hand? Or does the Venezuelan’s composure and ring craft give him control of the outside?
Denzel Bentley must:
Endry Saavedra must:
Bentley is the home favourite, and the narrative weight of his journey — the delays, the setbacks, the methodical rebuilding — is firmly on his side. His recent TKO form is the most alarming number in this fight.
Our prediction: Bentley by TKO, Rounds 6–9. Saavedra is a dangerous opponent with genuine ability, but Bentley’s punch output and power — proven repeatedly against domestic-level opposition — should prove too much for a Venezuelan challenger fighting away from home. Look for Bentley to establish control in the middle rounds and force a late stoppage. The WBO interim title, and the road to world glory, is within reach.
| Country | Broadcaster | Card Start | Approx Ringwalk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 UK | DAZN PPV (£24.99) | 7:00 PM BST | ~9:00 PM BST |
| 🇺🇸 USA | DAZN PPV ($49.99) | 2:00 PM EST | ~4:00 PM EST |
This fight is part of a stacked card at the O2 Arena. Don’t miss the full night:
When is Bentley vs Saavedra? Saturday, April 4, 2026, on the undercard of Chisora vs. Wilder: 100 at the O2 Arena, London.
What title is on the line in Bentley vs Saavedra? The vacant WBO Interim World Middleweight Championship (160 lbs), with the winner becoming the WBO’s mandatory challenger.
How to watch Bentley vs Saavedra? On DAZN PPV — £24.99 in the UK, $49.99 in the USA. Approximate UK ringwalk time is 9:00 PM BST.
Who is Endry Saavedra? Endry “El Chino” Saavedra is a 34-year-old middleweight from Venezuela with a record of 17-1-1. His only professional loss came at world level, and he enters ranked in the WBO’s top 15.
Who will win Bentley vs Saavedra? We predict Denzel Bentley by TKO in rounds 6–9. Home advantage, recent form, and his sharp two-round finishes make him the clear favourite. Saavedra’s experience and reach make him a live underdog threat.
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