Undefeated boxing star David Benavidez has admitted to harboring significant concerns regarding a potential high-stakes heavyweight clash between former WBC champion Deontay Wilder and undefeated cruiserweight standout Jai Opetaia. While the prospective matchup has captured the imagination of boxing fans worldwide, Benavidez’s apprehension stems from a very practical place: the outcome of that fight threatens to completely scupper his own carefully laid plans for a lucrative Cinco de Mayo weekend blockbuster in 2027.
According to multiple reports swirling within the boxing community, the Australian star Jai Opetaia could soon feature on the blockbuster undercard of the anticipated heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. If these discussions materialize, Opetaia would officially make his much-anticipated heavyweight debut at Cardiff’s iconic Principality Stadium.
Under this rumored schedule, the explosive cross-division encounter could take place as early as December 11, setting up a fascinating collision between the rising former cruiserweight champion and the hard-hitting American veteran. Deontay Wilder is currently looking to build momentum following a hard-fought split decision victory over fellow veteran Derek Chisora back in April, a win that helped steady his career after a difficult stretch against the division’s elite.
For Opetaia, the path to this heavyweight pivot follows a dominant ninth-round technical knockout victory over Noel Mikaelian last month. That impressive performance under the bright lights solidified his reputation as one of the most dangerous operators in and around the 200-pound weight class. Shortly after dispatching Mikaelian in convincing fashion, Opetaia engaged in a dramatic, face-to-face confrontation with cruiserweight rival David Benavidez, turning immediate tension into a promotional spectacle.
The two fighters subsequently entered into verbal agreements to lock horns in the ring in May of next year. Benavidez appeared more than willing to put his world titles on the line against the former two-time IBF cruiserweight champion, setting the table for what promised to be one of the most compelling stylistic matchups in the sport. However, with Opetaia now potentially gearing up to step away from the cruiserweight division temporarily to test the heavyweight waters against Wilder, their anticipated encounter at 200 pounds could be instantly extinguished by a single right hand from the fearsome “Bronze Bomber.”
Speaking candidly during an appearance on the Last Stand Podcast, Benavidez acknowledged the singular, game-changing power that Wilder still possesses. Even at the age of 40, the American knockout artist remains widely regarded as one of the most devastating one-punch hitters in the history of the heavyweight division, a distinction that commands respect from anyone stepping into the squared circle near his weight class.
“I don’t want Jai to fight Wilder. With Wilder, he has that right hand. And it’s fast,” Benavidez explained during his podcast interview, detailing the specific tactical dangers that trouble him. “He only has that one shot, but it’s fast. And Opetaia surprised me in his last fight, because he got hurt like four times. And Mikaelian is super slow. Opetaia is not a slick fighter that doesn’t get hit – he gets hit a lot. And Wilder’s a world-class [puncher]. If you give him the opportunity, he’s going to find that right hand. You can say whatever you want about Wilder, but he still has that cannon.”
Benavidez’s assessment highlights the razor-thin margins at the elite level of professional boxing, where defensive vulnerabilities can be brutally exposed by generational punchers like Wilder. While Opetaia’s offensive output and relentless pressure have brought him immense success, his willingness to trade and absorb punches against lesser-moving opponents like Mikaelian serves as a flashing red light for an observer as sharp as Benavidez. A matchup against Wilder leaves very little room for defensive lapses, and a devastating knockout defeat for the Australian would completely derail the commercial and competitive appeal of a 2027 Cinco de Mayo showdown against Benavidez.
As the prospective bout between Wilder and Opetaia hangs delicately in the balance and continues to generate widespread debate, Benavidez is simultaneously maintaining his own rigorous career trajectory. Before any potential collision with Opetaia can even be officially booked or finalized for next year, the American star is currently set to face WBC champion Michal Cieslak in a high-stakes three-belt unification match scheduled for this December, keeping his immediate focus locked firmly on the elite championship landscape of his division.
