Benavidez and Opetaia Set for Future Showdown Amid Heavyweight Debut
David Benavidez and Jai Opetaia have reached a verbal agreement for a cruiserweight bout scheduled for next year. However, before this anticipated clash, Opetaia is set to make his heavyweight debut against former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
Benavidez’s Path to Unification
Currently, Benavidez holds both the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles. He is preparing to face WBC champion Michal Cieslak in a highly anticipated three-belt unification match next month. A victory would bring Benavidez closer to achieving the status of undisputed champion.
Opetaia’s Legal Challenges
In a parallel development, Opetaia is involved in ongoing litigation with the IBF, which he hopes will result in his reinstatement as the world champion. This would pave the way for a significant matchup against Benavidez for all four major titles.
Opetaia vs. Wilder Set to Electrify
It has been officially confirmed that Opetaia will step up to the heavyweight division for a fight against Wilder. In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Benavidez expressed confidence that Opetaia would return to cruiserweight for their scheduled bout in May.
“It’s a good fight, I realize that they want to stay busy because taking a whole year off and waiting until [our fight in] May will be a long time. I already have my obligations over here, they are doing their thing. Both of us have good fights until we have our showdown next May.”
Assessing the Matchup
Known as ‘The Mexican Monster,’ Benavidez discussed the challenges Opetaia may face against Wilder. He cautioned that the potential for danger exists if Opetaia cannot effectively defend against Wilder’s powerful right hand, which has led to 42 knockouts in his career.
“I think that it is dangerous because you can see that Jai Opetaia gets hurt a lot, and I am not trying to discredit him or anything. It has been shown that he has been hurt by fighters who are slower.”
“Deontay Wilder, say what you want about him, he still has that fast right hand. So, if Wilder can land that, Opetaia will have to face some adversity. But if he can neutralize the right hand, I don’t think he should have a problem at all.”
Event Details
The highly anticipated matchup between Wilder and Opetaia will take place on the undercard of the blockbuster Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight on Friday, December 11, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
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