David Benavidez has voiced concerns that a potential matchup between Deontay Wilder and Jai Opetaia could disrupt his planned Cinco de Mayo event in 2027.
Reports suggest that Opetaia might compete on the undercard of the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight, marking his heavyweight debut at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
This scenario could lead to Opetaia facing former WBC champion Wilder on December 11, who recently secured a split decision victory over Derek Chisora in April.
Opetaia, meanwhile, achieved a ninth-round stoppage against Noel Mikaelian last month, followed by a face-to-face encounter with cruiserweight rival Benavidez.
The two subsequently reached a verbal agreement to fight in May of the next year, with Benavidez prepared to defend his world titles against the former two-time IBF champion.
However, if Opetaia is set to face Wilder, their anticipated 200-pound clash could be ended abruptly by a single punch from the ‘Bronze Bomber’.
In a discussion with the Last Stand Podcast, Benavidez highlighted Wilder’s enduring power, noting that at 40 years old, he remains one of the most dangerous punchers in the heavyweight division.
“I don’t want Jai to fight Wilder. With Wilder, he has that right hand. And it’s fast.
“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.”
While his Cinco de Mayo fight with Opetaia is uncertain, Benavidez is scheduled to face WBC champion Michal Cieslak in a three-belt unification match this December.