Jai Opetaia Targets Undisputed Run, David Benavidez Talks Loom

Jai Opetaia wants the undisputed cruiserweight crown at 200lbs, and he says fights with other beltholders are easy to make. The Australian champion made that clear at a TKO event in Washington DC. David Benavidez is now part of the conversation if he stays at the weight.

Opetaia Pushes 200lbs Goal

Opetaia said his boxing mission remains to become the undisputed champion at 200lbs. He has boxed just once this year, but his aim has not changed after going 30-0 with 23 KOs.

“I actually had a good sitdown with the team today and we’re hoping to make that dream possible by the end of the year,” Opetaia said. “That’s a perfect plan.” He added, “Early next year would be good but undisputed is what I want.”

Benavidez Enters Cruiserweight Picture

Benavidez could put himself in the mix if he remains at 200lbs after dismantling Gilberto Ramirez. Opetaia’s public push matters because the division already has other moving pieces, and he is not short on challengers.

Chris Billam-Smith stopped Ryan Rozicki last week, a result that keeps another beltholder in the chase. Billam-Smith previously lost his WBO title to Ramirez, which leaves the title picture active around Opetaia even before Benavidez is fully locked in.

Easy Calls, Hard Belts

Opetaia said the route to a unification fight is straightforward if another champion wants it. “Any of these other beltholders want it, I’m telling you, it’s an easy fight to make,” he said. “All they’ve got to do it reach out.”

That leaves the next move on the champions around him. Opetaia has already shown he can keep winning, with the March outscoring of Brandon Glanton on his ledger, and the pressure now shifts to whether one of the other belt holders steps forward for 200lbs supremacy.