Sparring partner makes KO prediction for David Benavidez vs Jai Opetaia: “He’s a beast”

Unbeaten super-middleweight Daniel Blancas has considered how David Benavidez, who he spars on a consistent basis, would fare in a cruiserweight battle with Jai Opetaia.

A potential showdown between the pair has been spoken about for quite some time, with both undefeated fighters facing off last weekend.

This followed Opetaia’s ninth-round stoppage of Noel Mikealian and, with Benavidez entering the ring, they seemed genuinely eager to collide on Cinco de Mayo weekend in 2027.

Before then, Benavidez is expected to face WBC champion Michal Cieslak on December 12, which, if it materialises, will signify the final fight on his current contract with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions.

Additionally, it would present ‘The Mexican Monster’ with an opportunity to unify his division after claiming the WBO and WBA world titles against Gilberto Ramirez in May.

Back then, Benavidez was making his 200lb debut but nonetheless produced arguably a career-best performance, dethroning Ramirez with an emphatic sixth-round finish.

And while Opetaia poses a vastly different challenge, particularly from a stylistic perspective, the Jose Benavidez Sr-trained Blancas has told Sean Zittel that he would predict a similar outcome for May 2027.

“That’s a great fight; that’s an amazing fight. Opetaia – he’s a beast. His power – he can hit. He’s amazing.

“Honestly, though, much respect to him and his team but David – you guys saw what he did to [Ramirez]. Even at cruiserweight, his speed didn’t go nowhere.

“His speed was still there, his explosiveness was still there … he was even stronger. I just think that, if he were to face Opetaia, it’s going to be the exact same thing.”

With Blancas training at the same gym as Benavidez, it is hardly surprising that he favours the 29-year-old to defeat Opetaia, who currently holds The Ring cruiserweight title.