Tim Bradley believes a matchup between David Benavidez and Jai Opetaia, the two leading cruiserweights, is much less competitive than most would anticipate it being.
While nothing is set in stone, the pair have verbally agreed to collide on Cinco de Mayo weekend in 2027, with Benavidez seemingly willing to put his world titles on the line.
The ‘Mexican Monster’ became a three-division world champion in May, dethroning Gilberto Ramirez with a sixth-round stoppage for the WBO and WBA belts at 200lbs.
His next outing, meanwhile, is expected to be a unification match with WBC champion Michal Cieslak in December, when Opetaia could also return to action following his ninth-round stoppage of Noel Mikaelian last month.
The Australian has, in other words, been in talks to move up to heavyweight and face former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, potentially featuring on the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua undercard at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
It remains to be seen whether this will actually take place on December 11, however, as Opetaia may instead look to preserve himself for a Benavidez showdown.
Speaking of which, Hall of Famer Bradley has told Ring Magazine that he maintains his belief that the 29-year-old would dominate the equally unbeaten Opetaia.
“Benavidez is going to motorboat his face with them punches and combinations, man. Okay, he’s been hurt [by previous opponents].
“But then what [does] he do? He finishes them; he destroys them. That’s what Benavidez does. Just because you get hurt don’t mean you weak.”
In terms of Benavidez showing signs of vulnerability, he has only ever been dropped by David Morrell and Ronald Gavril and, even then, these were more flash knockdowns than anything else.
