Jai Opetaia Says David Benavidez Clash Is “Easy To Make” As He Awaits Response

Unbeaten Australian says a cruiserweight showdown with David Benavidez is easy to make from his side.

Jai Opetaia says he is still waiting for a fight with David Benavidez despite believing a cruiserweight unification bout would be straightforward to arrange. The unbeaten Australian insists there are no obstacles on his side as speculation continues over Benavidez’s next move.

Having captured the unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles, David Benavidez has no shortage of potential opponents. However, one of the division’s leading names believes the delay in making a major unification clash is not coming from his side.

Benavidez produced one of the standout performances of the year in May when he stopped Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in six rounds to claim the WBA and WBO belts in his first fight at cruiserweight. The emphatic victory raised questions about whether ‘The Mexican Monster’ would return to light heavyweight in pursuit of Dmitry Bivol or remain at 200lbs.

If he stays in the division, former IBF champion Jai Opetaia is viewed as one of the most dangerous and appealing opponents available. The Australian, who owns a 30-0 record with 23 knockouts, says he would welcome the opportunity to share the ring with Benavidez.

Opetaia believes there are no obstacles from his side if a fight with Benavidez is to be made.

“Man, I would love that fight. I have been chasing these unifications for such a long time now, so to get one over the line would be awesome,” said Opetaia at a fan event in Washington, D.C.

“I am just waiting, that fight is easy to make on our side, so I don’t know what the hold up is on theirs.”

Despite Opetaia’s interest, Benavidez’s immediate future may already be taking shape elsewhere. The WBC recently ordered its cruiserweight champion, Noel Mikaelian, to make a mandatory defense against Benavidez, setting up a potential clash between two titleholders.

Mikaelian’s team has also publicly expressed interest in the bout, with the Armenian champion seeking to add Benavidez’s WBA and WBO belts to his own WBC title.

Opetaia remains on the outside looking in. But with Benavidez emerging as one of boxing’s biggest attractions following his destructive win over Ramirez, a showdown between the pair could become one of the sport’s most anticipated fights if both continue winning.

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