When David Benavidez announced last Sunday that he would move up to cruiserweight to fight Gilberto Ramirez for the WBO and WBA world titles, the reaction from Aussie champ Jai Opetaia was understandably heated.
Opetaia has waited patiently for his shot at unification since he captured his belts a few years back, but it’s been the same old story for the 30-year-old – other belt holders view him as too much of a risk, with Australia’s relatively small commercial market also playing its part.
Ramirez reportedly wanted $US8 million (AUD $12m) to fight Opetaia last year, an offer he more than likely knew would not be viable.
‘Ring of Fire’: Opetaia vs Cinkara for the cruiserweight world titles on December 6 is available to order now on Stan Pay-Per-View
Opetaia is viewed as one of the best fighters on the planet. Getty
Instead he stands to make a lot of money when he fights Benavidez on the Cinco de Mayo holiday in the US next year.
While most of the reaction to the news from Opetaia’s team was negative, the Benavidez move could be a blessing in disguise and part of a grander plan which could elevate Opetaia’s chances of unification if he remains patient and keeps winning.
With Ring Magazine owner and Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikih making the biggest fights possible over the last two years, it would come as no surprise if the influential figure had his eyes on a potential Opetaia v Benavidez unification bout, if Benavidez can defeat Ramirez.
“I’d prefer to see Benavidez than Opetaia versus Ramirez. That’s a cracking fight,” Australian former world champion Danny Green told Wide World of Sports.
“There potentially could be a silver lining for Jai who absolutely deserves a massive legacy defining fight.
“He is well and truly deserving of that, and if Benavidez defeats Ramirez, then it’s a bigger fight than Ramirez. Way bigger. He just needs to hang tough and be patient.”
At 34, the only way Ramirez will put his belts at risk is for a major pay day and fighting another Mexican champion moving up in weight, on the Mexican holiday in the US, will do just that.
Alalshikh is a big fan of Opetaia and Benavidez, with both men fighting on Ryiadh Season cards. The powerbroker has spoken with the Australian about staging unification bouts.
Gilberto Ramirez speaks during a press conference in Los Angeles. Getty
But they’ve been hard to come by.
In addition to Ramirez, Swedish-born Badou Jack, who owns the WBC belt, opted for a rematch with Noel Mikaelian in Los Angeles on the same date as Opetaia’s world title defence against Hüseyin Cinkara, instead of facing the Aussie.
Unfortunately, Opetaia’s dominance has led to those who own the other belts to turn toe.
“There’s no one out there that wants to fight him. He was offered Chris Billiam Smith in England, and that’s a big show and Jai’s team offered pretty much the entire purse,” Green said.
“Jai goes on air on a massive show in England, he says, ‘I’ll do it. He can have it all. I’ll fight the guy.’ And he still didn’t fight him. He’s doing all he can do.
“I’m big fan of Benavidez, but he’s jumped the queue. Ramirez has taken a fight that probably makes more sense fiscally.
“It’s difficult to go past that two massive Mexican names fighting on Cinco de Mayo kind of, so it makes sense.
David Benavidez weighs in ahead of his fight against Anthony Yarde last week. Getty
“But it’s kind of shitty that Jai misses out because he absolutely deserves the Ramirez unification.”
With the boxing world splintered and different promoters and governing bodies doing business separately, great fighters like Opetaia fall through cracks too often.
But Alalshikh’s presence has bridged the gap in many instances, bringing rival promoters together to put on shows that would have been near impossible 10 years ago.
Speaking in October, Opetaia said he had touched base with the Saudi official, saying they had worked out a plan to snare a unification fight with Benavidez before taking his talents to the heavyweight division.
Turki Alalshikh poses with UFC President Dana White. TKO Worldwide LLC via Getty Imag
“There’s a real plan of action. He (Turki Alalshikh) told me we’ll get Badou Jack — another tough fight. If we win, then it’s Gilberto Ramirez. And once we get through that, he said he wants Benavidez to move up to cruiserweight, and I’ll be the one to fight him,” Opetaia said.
“If that’s our path, then let’s f—ing do it. I’m pumped. I’d love nothing more than to face Benavidez. He’s a great fighter with a huge following. He’s fought excellent opponents.
“Once we make it happen, maybe that’s when the heavyweight split begins. But I’m not rushing it. I’ve dreamed my whole life of becoming an undisputed world champion — and I will be.”
Things are on the up for Opetaia, after his manager, Mick Francis of Tasman Fighters, signed with Stan Sports in a pay-per-view deal that will be the streaming service’s biggest boxing production, to rival Fox Sports’ Main Event and global streaming service DAZN.
Huseyin Cinkara next to face Opetaia. Instagram
After he takes on Cinkara on December 6 on the Gold Coast, in his first outing for Stan, he plans to begrudgingly fly to Los Angeles and push the issue with Jack’s promoters for a unification bout for his WBC belt.
“I don’t know why I’d have to fly over and get in his face; it’s becoming a bit stupid,” Opetaia told AAP.
“Everyone wants these fights to be made, people want to see these unification fights.
“If he wants to fight, we’ll fight.”