Benavidez Expects To KO 'Super Slow' Opetaia

David Benavidez believes he will knock out Jai Opetaia when the two cruiserweight champions collide next year.

Benavidez watched from ringside at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday as Opetaia stopped Noel Mikaelian in nine rounds to defend his Ring and Zuffa titles and claim the vacant WBA 'regular' belt. The Phoenix fighter came away unimpressed, according to The Ring.

"I'm surprised, but not in a good way," Benavidez told reporters after the fight. "He gets hit a lot, he's slow, super slow, he got hurt like four times. There's a lot there. The availability that he leaves for me to punch. I don't know if he just had an off night."

Benavidez Plans May Showdown After Cieslak Defence

Benavidez holds the WBA, WBO, and WBC heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight titles after stopping Gilberto Ramirez in six rounds this past May. He faces Poland's Michal Cieslak for the WBC cruiserweight crown on December 12. Opetaia remains unbeaten at 31-0 with 24 knockouts but lost his IBF belt earlier this year when he fought Brandon Glanton instead of an ordered challenger. The Australian has an active lawsuit seeking reinstatement.

Benavidez acknowledged Opetaia's power but said he sees openings the Sydney southpaw leaves exposed. "At the end of the day, Jai Opetaia's a great fighter. I have a lot of respect for him, but I'll knock him out," he said, per The Ring. "Obviously, I can't stay there and get hit. He has heavy hands. I have my fight signed for December. Then we can do it next year May."

The WBC stripped Mikaelian of his cruiserweight title when he chose to face Opetaia rather than Benavidez, his mandatory challenger. Cieslak was elevated from interim champion to full titleholder before the December bout was finalised.

Source: ringmagazine.com