The cruiserweight landscape has changed drastically after the recent victory of David Benavídezwho knows crowned unified WBO and WBA champion by defeating Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez.
After this result, analysts have begun to project who will be the next challenge for the Mexican-American boxer. One of the loudest names in the industry It is that of the Australian Jai Opetaiaconsidered by many to be the most dangerous fighter in the division.
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Despite fans’ expectations, the new monarch’s work team does not seem to share the same opinion about the talent of the oceanic fighter.
José Benavídez Sr., father and predominant coach of David Benavidezhas expressed his doubts about the real capabilities of Opetaia in an eventual confrontation.
For the trainer, his son’s power would be enough to end the fight prematurely without the Australian being able to offer greater resistance.
“Don’t get me wrong, Jai Opetaia is a good boxer, but he doesn’t have a jaw of steel. In all his fights he ends up hurt. He is a disciplined fighter, I see the discipline, but I don’t see the talent. I think David would knock him out in one or two rounds,” David’s father said in an interview for Mill City Boxing.
Jose Benavidez Sr. is no longer always pulling punches, declaring his unified WBO/WBA cruiserweight champ son David would dispatch Jai Opetaia in a mere one or two rounds! 🔥 Mr. pic.twitter.com/wYbahEr90W
— Talk over with NoSmokeBoxing.com 🥊 (@NoSmokeBoxing) Might possibly well 10, 2026
Lack of talent and technical weaknesses according to the Benavídez team
In a recent technical analysis, the coach pointed out that, although he recognizes the Australian’s discipline, You don’t see a level of talent that represents a threat right.
According to his vision, the style of David Benavidez would expose the defensive deficiencies and the lack of assimilation of blows that, in his opinion, the former IBF champion suffers. These statements have ignited the debate about whether Opetaia really has the necessary tools to compete at the elite level.
The boxer’s father emphasized that his potential rival’s jab and body blow are not up to par with what his son has previously faced. The team’s confidence lies in the forcefulness shown by David Benavidez in his last presentation, where he managed to neutralize a larger physical opponent. This scream is fundamental in the strategy for a possible unification clash in the near future.
A forecast reserved for the first rounds
Regarding the development of a possible fight, José Benavídez Sr. He was emphatic in ensuring that the confrontation would not go beyond the first minutes.
The strategist considers that the volume of hits David Benavidez He would quickly overcome the Australian’s defense, causing a dream outcome. This stance ignores Opetaia’s status as one of the most technical and dominant fighters Australia has produced in recent years.
At the moment, The future of this fight also depends on Opetaia’s contractual obligations with its new promoter.which could delay negotiations.
Meanwhile, the team David Benavidez continues to evaluate other options, including a possible promotion to heavyweight or a duel against Dmitry Bivol. The priority remains to consolidate the boxer’s legacy in the 200-pound category before seeking new horizons.
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