David Benavidez-Jai Opetaia Showdown Eyed by Turki Alalshikh
- Matthew Brown
- 23 minutes ago
- 2 min read
For boxing fans and pundits who fear Zuffa Boxing could block major fights, encouraging news has arrived.
Sources told Brunch Boxing that Turki Alalshikh has personally pledged to make a fight between David Benavidez and Jai Opetaia happen before the end of the year.
The matchup would carry major stakes in the cruiserweight division. Benavidez currently holds the WBA and WBO unified cruiserweight titles. Meanwhile, Opetaia enters as the first-ever Zuffa Boxing champion and the reigning Ring cruiserweight champion.
Interest in the fight already exists on both sides. Both fighters have openly discussed facing each other in recent months.
Still, Benavidez previously questioned whether the bout could realistically happen. He pointed to concerns about Zuffa Boxing’s willingness to work with outside promoters.
“I think Dana White has showed that he doesn’t want to do fights with PBC, DAZN,” Benavidez said during his post-fight press conference at T-Mobile Arena. “I don’t want to sound like I’m disrespecting, but that’s just what it looks like from the outside.”
Later, Benavidez made it clear that he respects Opetaia and wants the fight.
“I respect Jai Opetaia a lot. He’s a great fighter and I think he has to come back over here to make these fights happen, because we can’t make no fights in Zuffa,” Benavidez continued.
However, those concerns now appear overstated. Zuffa Boxing reportedly plans to help facilitate the matchup rather than prevent it.
That development could ease fears that promotional politics would derail another high-profile fight. Instead, all sides now seem motivated to deliver one of boxing’s most exciting possible matchups.
Benavidez enters the potential showdown with serious momentum. On May 4, he delivered a thrilling stoppage win over Gilberto Ramirez in a performance that further boosted his standing in the sport.
Likewise, Opetaia also heads into the fight on a strong run. In March, he earned a unanimous decision victory over Brandon Glanton and continued to build his reputation as one of boxing’s most dangerous cruiserweights.
If the fight becomes official, fans could see two undefeated stars collide in one of the year’s biggest boxing events.
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