Benavidez, Opetaia Eye Super Fight But Promotional Divide Looms Large

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Benavidez, Opetaia Eye Super Fight But Promotional Divide Looms Large

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated May 4, 2026 8:57 PM ET

LAS VEGAS — David Benavidez and Jai Opetaia both want the same thing: Each other. But making that fight happen may require more than just willingness it may take a major shift in boxing’s promotional landscape.

Fresh off his dominant sixth-round stoppage of Gilberto Ramirez, Benavidez made it clear that a showdown with Opetaia is one of the biggest fights available at cruiserweight.

Still, he acknowledged a major obstacle: the divide between promoters. Opetaia is now aligned with Zuffa Boxing, led by Dana White, while Benavidez has long been associated with Premier Boxing Champions and Sampson Boxing. “If we could come to an agreement and make a big fight, let’s do it,” Benavidez said. “But it doesn’t look like they want to work with PBC or DAZN.”

David Benavidez calls out Jai Opetaia & Zuffa boxing to make their fight happen!

Image | Source: Dice City Sports

“I’m not gonna go over there and fight for a Zuffa title! Jai has to come back over here to make these fights happen because we can’t make NO FIGHTS in Zuffa!”- David Benavidez pic.twitter.com/yPUA7h5fV0

— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) May 3, 2026

Opetaia’s New Chapter

Opetaia (30-0, 23 KOs) recently made his Zuffa debut, defeating Brandon Glanton in March at the UFC APEX. However, his move came with complications.

A dispute between Zuffa and the International Boxing Federation resulted in Opetaia being stripped of his IBF title — a key factor in Benavidez’s earlier hesitation to pursue the fight.

Undisputed vs. New Era

Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) has made it clear that becoming undisputed champion remains a top priority meaning collecting the traditional WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO belts.

Zuffa Boxing, however, is aiming to shift the sport’s structure by elevating its own titles above the traditional sanctioning bodies.

That philosophical clash could complicate negotiations. “I’m not going over there to fight for a Zuffa title,” Benavidez said.

Despite the hurdles, Benavidez appears more open than ever to the matchup following his emphatic cruiserweight debut. “That’s the biggest fight in the world at this weight,” he said. “I’m not scared of nobody.”

The matchup would pit: