By Felix Jesus Mendoza
The world of boxing is at a time of important definitions for the heavy categories. The proper unified WBA and WBO champion at cruiserweight, David Benavidezhas recently shared his perspective on the difficulties of realizing one of the most anticipated confrontations by fans: the duel against the Australian Jai Opetaia.
Through an interview granted to BoxingScenethe American boxer of Mexican origin, explained that The essential drawback does not lie in sportsbut in business structures.
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According to David BenavidezZuffa Boxing’s foray into the scene is creating obstacles that prevent this battle from being formalized in the short term.
The political barriers in boxing itself
For the “Mexican Monster”, this fight represents the most relevant event that can be offered today within its weight category. However, Opetaia’s decision to join the Dana White-led promoter has chilled negotiations, since the American champion has no interest in linking with said organization for your next defenses.
In his statements to the cited source, David Benavidez expressed bluntly: “I don’t know why he went to Zuffa. We could have organized this fight right after this one. I’m not going to go there to fight for a Zuffa title”. This stance draws a clear line on how politics between rival promoters like PBC, DAZN and Zuffa are affecting athletes’ agendas.
Business value versus Zuffa strategy
A key point in the speech of David Benavidez It is the difference in the drawing power between both boxers. The unified monarch recalled that he is already a consolidated figure in the pay-per-view (PPV) system and that he has the ability to fill large venues, something that, in his words, the Australian has not yet experienced in his career.
“I am the one who fills these stadiums, I am the one who fights on pay-per-view. Jai Opetaia has never fought on pay-per-view. He has never filled a stadium”argued the boxer to BoxingScene. With this, David Benavidez He seeks to make it clear that the offer he puts on the table is financially more tempting than any path Opetaia could follow under his own representation.
A future open to negotiations
Despite criticism of the management of rival promoters, sporting interest remains intact. The American reaffirmed that he is not afraid of any opponent and that he is willing to fight if a fair agreement is reached outside the restrictions imposed by current politics. “If they want to come to the negotiating table, we could do it. Let’s do it!”!”, he concluded with determination.
It is important to remember that David Benavidez reaches this point after a solid performance on May 2, where he won his current titles by defeating Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez by technical knockout in Las Vegas. For now, the future of this possible historic fight remains in the hands of the representatives and the ability to overcome the obstacles that today separate both champions.
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