Michael Zerafa says he’s set to face Yoenli Hernandez for vacant WBO title

Michael Zerafa says he is set to face unbeaten Cuban Yoenli Hernandez for the vacant WBO middleweight title, with December or January being targeted and Melbourne his preferred location.

The Australian says promoter Eddie Hearn is working to finalise the opportunity as Denzel Bentley is set to be stripped of the championship after failing to confirm he would fulfil his mandatory defence against Hernandez. No agreement for Hernandez–Zerafa, date or venue has been formally announced.

Speaking to Nine last Friday, Zerafa said he had accepted the opportunity when it was presented to his team.

“Eddie Hearn basically said to my management, do you want the world title fight? And we said yes 100 per cent.”

The 34-year-old indicated that discussions about facing Chris Eubank Jr would be put on hold to pursue the championship opportunity, with Hearn seeking to bring the event to Melbourne.

Zerafa had already spoken about the developing title shot on SEN’s Dwayne’s World last Monday, saying his plans had changed following a conversation with his manager that morning. He also expressed his preference for fighting in his home city.

“So ideally I'd love to get, you know, all the support and love down here and fight in front of my home crowd for a world title and, and, and win it,” Zerafa said.

Bentley set to lose championship

The WBO rejected Bentley’s appeal last Thursday, affirming that he must face mandatory challenger Hernandez next. Both camps were instructed to confirm their intention to proceed within 24 hours of being served with the decision.

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri subsequently told Yahoo Sports’ Darshan Desai that Bentley’s team had not formally confirmed he would proceed with the mandated contest within the 24-hour deadline. Desai reported on Saturday that the organisation would now strip Bentley of his championship.

Bentley is scheduled to face Shane Mosley Jr at London’s Copper Box Arena on November 7, having signed a multi-fight agreement with Zuffa Boxing. He had sought permission to make that contest a voluntary defence before meeting Hernandez.

Warriors Boxing previously secured the promotional rights to Bentley–Hernandez with the sole bid of $200,000. The WBO’s official minutes allocated $160,000 to Bentley and $40,000 to Hernandez, with Queensberry represented at the proceedings but declining to submit a bid.

Mielnicki and Tszyu pursuing other routes

The WBO’s published September rankings place Hernandez first, followed by Vito Mielnicki Jr, Tim Tszyu and Zerafa. The positions of the two fighters immediately above Zerafa are therefore central to his potential route into the vacant-title contest.

Mielnicki, who signed with Matchroom in June, was reported by Boxing News on October 13 to be expected to pass on a fight against Hernandez. A possible meeting with former unified junior-middleweight champion Xander Zayas in 2027 was identified as an alternative, although neither that contest nor a formal rejection of Hernandez has been announced.

Tszyu, meanwhile, is committed to challenging Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight championship. No Limit Boxing has confirmed the matchup, although the date, location and venue remain to be announced.

Hernandez holds an 11–0 record with nine knockouts. He most recently defeated Francisco Daniel Veron by majority decision in August, having stopped experienced contender Terrell Gausha in four rounds in March.

For Zerafa, the proposed contest would provide another opportunity to become world champion after Lara stopped him in the second round of their WBA title fight in March 2024.