Former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew predicts David Benavidez vs Jai Opetaia: “He can match his relentlessness”

Tony Bellew has offered his early thoughts on a potential showdown between David Benavidez and Jai Opetaia, who have verbally agreed to collide in 2027.

The ‘Mexican Monster’ was in attendance as Opetaia stopped Noel Mikaelian in nine rounds, featuring in the chief support to Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn over the weekend.

Initially, the Australian had expected this to be a world title opportunity, only for WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman to not sanction their cruiserweight contest.

This decision can be explained by a number of factors, including Mikaelian’s failure to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Benavidez.

As a result, the 35-year-old has been stripped of his title with Michal Cieslak being upgraded to full champion. Cieslak is expected to make his first defence against Benavidez on December 12.

If Benavidez emerges victorious, the 29-year-old could then defend all three titles against Opetaia, who previously held the IBF strap and is now the Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight champion.

Regardless of the belts, though, their matchup is considered one of the best that can be made in boxing and both combatants, it seems, are eager to collide next year.

Speaking on the DAZN broadcast following Opetaia’s stoppage of Mikaelian, former cruiserweight champion Bellew expressed his excitement but admitted favouring Benavidez.

“There are ways both could win the fight, but I edge towards Benavidez. I just think he does not stop. He’s the only [cruiserweight] that can match Jai Opetaia’s relentlessness. He can take it to another level … Iron sharpens iron, I can’t wait to see this fight.”

Having previously held major titles at super-middle and light-heavyweight, Benavidez became a three-division world champion by dethroning Gilberto Ramirez with a sixth-round finish in May.