Key points:
- David Benavidez calls Jai Opetaia slow, defensively flawed, and beatable
- He points to the visible damage Opetaia took against Noel Mikaelian as evidence
- Benavidez must first get past his own opponent on December 12
- A Cinco de Mayo unification fight is being floated if both results go as planned
David Benavidez says Jai Opetaia is slow, defensively flawed, and beatable, pointing directly to the damage Opetaia took in his ninth-round stoppage of Noel Mikaelian as evidence.
“He’s a strong fighter, but he gets hit a lot,” Benavidez told the Inside The Ring Show. “I seen a lot of holes in his game that I can take advantage of. He’s really slow. I’m coming from the lower weight classes. I can do a lot more stuff with more head movement, more speed, body, everything. And the thing I like, he gets hurt a lot. So, I’m going to have a good day.”
The read has some real basis. Opetaia absorbed clean shots throughout his win over Mikaelian, a fighter who threw at a considerably lower volume than Benavidez typically brings. Benavidez’s own defence has historically relied more on a high guard and constant offensive pressure than head movement, which could leave openings of its own if Opetaia’s jab and counters find the gaps.
Any fight remains contingent on Benavidez first getting past his own opponent on December 12. “First I’ve got to take care of my business on December 12th, but then Cinco de Mayo for sure,” Benavidez said.
Having spent years pursuing Canelo Alvarez and previously showing little urgency for an Opetaia fight, Benavidez now sounds like a fighter actively chasing the toughest available matchup at cruiserweight.