The 31-year-old middleweight has been out of the ring, through no fault of his own, since beating Brad Pauls in 2024. The full-time pro even completed application forms to become a delivery driver in a bid to raise funds to support his young family during his unwanted and unexpected ring hiatus.

In the end he decided against taking a new job so he could stay in the gym and work on his craft. On Saturday night, he finally drew a line under months of misery at London’s O2 Arena by ending Saavedra's spirited effort midway through the seventh round to win the WBO interim middleweight title.

“Sixteen months I’ve been in the gym without a fight and not even getting paid,” he said after his victory. “I’m emotional now.”

Bentley was made to work from the start by the Mexico-based Venezuelan, who stomped forward behind a high, tight guard. Bentley was happy to keep him at bay behind a long jab, but there were times when he was caught against the ropes.

It was anyone’s fight through six even rounds, but everything changed in the seventh when Bentley landed a hard combination that sent Saavedra backpedaling. The Londoner, who grew up a few miles south, sensed his opportunity and did not let it slip, jumping on Saavedra and forcing referee Darren Sarginson to call a halt after 1:38.

“He’s a tough guy, man," said Bentley (22-3-1, 18 KOs). "He just kept coming. I knew I had to keep him on the end of my jab and move him around.

“My trainer Martin Bowers was reminding me to keep boxing. He was hurting me to the head and body, but i just had to keep it together and throw it back. I knew I would get him, it was just a matter of when.”

This fight, between the WBO’s No. 1 Bentley and No. 2 Saavedra, was ordered by the sanctioning body back in July, but it has taken until Easter Saturday for it to happen. But it was a case of better late than never for Bentley.

Bentley insists he is their true champion given that the current belt-holder, Janibek Alimkhanuly, is not allowed to box after he failed a VADA test late last year.

“Drop the interim,” Bentley said. “I’m a world champion. Do you see where it says interim on this belt? The world champion hasn’t even got a boxing license right now. He’s the world champion who isn’t allowed to box. We don’t respect PED cheats around here.

"I've achieved my dream."

Now Bentley will likely defend the belt while he waits for Janibek, who was stripped of his IBF title for the offense, to return to the ring. Bentley has already faced him back in November 2022 and lost on points, but is on the hunt for revenge and the full title.

Bentley's victory over Saavedra was part of the undercard for the MF Pro event headlined by Derek Chisora's clash with Deontay Wilder.