WBO Orders Hernandez Vs Zerafa For Vacant Middleweight Title

The WBO has ordered Yoenli Hernandez to face Michael Zerafa for the vacant middleweight title after stripping Denzel Bentley earlier this week.

Bentley was removed from the championship after electing to fight Shane Mosley Jr under the Zuffa Boxing banner rather than face mandatory challenger Hernandez, as Bad Left Hook first reported. The sanctioning body gave both camps 20 days to reach terms or face a purse bid.

Zerafa, ranked fourth by the WBO, lands the opportunity despite his stock taking a hit in recent months. The Australian quit on his stool in January against Nikita Tszyu after taking a headbutt in the second round, claiming vision issues that weren't apparent to observers, then later denied making the claim after the referee stopped the contest.

Hernandez brings an unblemished 11-0 record with nine knockouts to the bout. The Cuban won a majority decision over Francisco Daniel Veron in August to secure his mandatory position, his second trip to the scorecards in four outings.

It remains unclear whether second-ranked Vito Mielnicki Jr was offered the fight and declined, but third-ranked Tim Tszyu is already committed to face Erislandy Lara later this year. The 34-year-old Zerafa holds a 35-5 record with 23 knockouts and previously challenged Lara for the belt two years ago, losing by stoppage.

Negotiations are expected to begin immediately with the purse bid deadline looming.