Benavidez Sr. claims Opetaia’s side stopped responding after discussions about a cruiserweight showdown

Jose Benavidez Sr. says Jai Opetaia’s team went quiet after discussions about a possible fight against David Benavidez at cruiserweight. The comments came after Opetaia recently questioned whether Benavidez truly wanted the matchup.

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“I told Opetaia, ‘Listen, I know you want the fight. Help me get in touch with your manager so we can talk about making it happen,'” said Jose Benavidez Sr. to MillCity Boxing.

Benavidez Sr. says there was never a response from Opetaia’s side.

“The managers and the team know he’s not ready for David. So, that’s why they’re not reaching up. I got proof. I’ve been talking to his manager. I’ve been trying to talk to him. They’re not responding to phone calls.”

Jose Sr. also rejected Opetaia’s suggestion that fights against Dmitry Bivol or Artur Beterbiev would be easier routes for David than facing him at cruiserweight. Benavidez is coming off a sixth-round stoppage of Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez earlier this month to capture the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles.

“How are you going to compare yourself to something like that? What’s a better fight? Bivol or Opetaia? Better Beterbiev or Opetaia? Of course, there’s no brain to it,” said Benavidez Sr.

Jose Sr. believes Opetaia’s team is protecting him from a dangerous fight too early, despite the Australian champion publicly calling for the matchup.

“David would stop him right now. I’m not saying he’s a bad fighter. He’s a really, really good fighter. But experience, bro,” said Benavidez Sr.