If David Benavidez decides to stick around in the cruiserweight ranks, there is a bitter rivalry brewing.
Although many expected Benavidez to return to light-heavyweight in pursuit of Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, his team instead petitioned the WBC to install him as mandatory challenger to cruiserweight champion Noel Mikalian.
The fight was ordered, but Mikalien has instead booked a fight with former IBF champion and new Zuffa Boxing champion Jai Opetaia, and is expected to be stripped of his WBC belt soon as a result. Opetaia is a two-time IBF champion, but was stripped of the belt ahead of his first fight under his new deal – something that has prompted legal action.
Upon announcing the fight, which lands on the Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn card on September 12, Opetaia took a shot at the new unified champion.
“This is a huge card, and I look forward to showing the world once again why I’m the best cruiserweight on the planet. Credit to Noel for stepping up to the plate while others – yes, David Benavidez, I’m talking about you – continue to run and hide.”
Benavidez’s trainer and father, Jose Sr, said earlier this year that he contacted Opetaia’s team for a fight but received no reply.
Should Mikalien be stripped and interim champion Michał Cieślak upgraded, Benavidez may still have the opportunity to face him for the belt. With Bivol and Beterbiev reportedly closing in on a trilogy at light-heavyweight, it may be the most appealing option.
As for Opetaia, a win over Mikalien only builds the fight with Benavidez, which is quickly becoming one of boxing’s must-see attractions.
