LAS VEGAS — David Benavidez issued a formal challenge to Jai Opetaia at the T-Mobile Arena this weekend, following Opetaia’s ninth-round stoppage victory over Noel Mikaelian. The win marked the first time Mikaelian has been stopped in his professional career, as Opetaia continued to solidify his standing in the cruiserweight division.
The potential matchup has gained significant momentum, with both fighters verbally agreeing to a bout scheduled for Cinco De Mayo weekend in 2027. Benavidez, who holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles following his victory over Gilberto Ramirez in May, expressed his intent to return to the ring in December to prepare for the contest. “Let’s do it right here next year for Cinco De Mayo,” Benavidez stated during the post-fight proceedings.
Despite the public challenge, Benavidez remained critical of Opetaia’s performance during an appearance on Nina Drama’s Kick stream. “I’m not impressed at all. I thought Jai Opetaia was better. He’s not the boogeyman. He’s a great fighter, but he’s not on my level,” Benavidez said. He added, “Respect, he’s a strong fighter but there can only be one monster. He likes war and I’m the exact same way so it will be one hell of a fight.”
The championship landscape remains complex, as Opetaia currently holds the Ring Magazine and Zuffa Boxing belts. While Mikaelian entered the ring as the WBC champion, legal and regulatory factors have impacted the title status, with Opetaia having previously been stripped of his IBF belt due to issues surrounding his initial fight under the Zuffa banner.