The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has ordered negotiations for a middleweight title fight between Yoenli Feliciano Hernandez and Michael Zerafa.
- The title was previously held by London native Denzel Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KOs), who had signed with Zuffa Boxing.
- In late October, the organization announced that it had withdrawn its recognition of Bentley as middleweight champion.
According to the announcement on Tuesday, Cuba’s Hernandez (11-0, 9 KOs) and Australia’s Zerafa (35-5, 23 KOs) have until November 23 of this year to reach an agreement.
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Hernandez, 29, won his previous bout in August by majority decision against Francisco Veron. He has held the division’s NABO title and is ranked No. 1 by the WBO as of October 2026.
WBO No. 4-ranked contender Zerafa comes off an eighth-round TKO victory over Alejandro Ortiz, also in August. In March 2024, the 34-year-old challenged Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight title but was stopped in the second round.
- Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KOs) is scheduled to make a hometown ring appearance at Zuffa Boxing 12 on November 7 against Shane Mosley Jr. (23-5, 13 KOs) of Pomona, California.