David Benavidez has been called out for an intriguing unification showdown should he be victorious in his return to the ring.
It was announced last week that ‘The Mexican Monster’ would be challenging Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez for the unified WBA and WBO world cruiserweight titles at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday May 2.
Benavidez is bidding to become a world champion in a third weight class having already captured world honours at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight during his professional career to date.
The 29-year-old from Arizona was last in action back in November when he stopped Britain’s Anthony Yarde in the seventh round of their clash at the ANB Arena in Riyadh to make the first successful defence of his WBC light-heavyweight title.
One man that is eyeing a future showdown with Benavidez is reigning IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who makes his first ring appearance under the Zuffa Boxing banner against Brandon Glanton on Saturday March 8.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Opetaia revealed that he is open to facing the winner of Benavidez vs. Ramirez but admits he must remain focused on ‘taking care of business’ ahead of his clash with Glanton next month.
“Who knows man? It’s been easy to make on my side. You know, we’ve been chasing that fight [undisputed] for a while but who cares. Who cares why it hasn’t happened. It’s going to happen.#
“I’ve got to take care of business. Brandon’s a good fight, he’s tough, he’s durable and he’s going to come to fight man. I’ve got to be switched on. I’ve got to take this fight very serious. I’ve got to take care of business and then once that’s done, whoever wins that next fight with Zurdo and [Benavidez], let’s get it on!”
Opetaia has been keen on securing his opportunity to fight for the undisputed cruiserweight championship over the last couple of years and he could finally be granted his wish in 2026.
The 30-year-old from Sydney extended his unblemished professional record to 29-0 back in December when he stopped Huseyin Cinkara in the 8th round of their bout at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
