This is such a great fight for many reasons. Can David conquer Crusier and set himself apart in top 5 pfp discussions? Can Jai put his name in pfp discussions with a big win over a well known opponent.
Opetaia, the power and superior footwork will be the difference. He has to encourage Opetaia to stand and trade with him to win Opetaia has dog but he will stick to the gameplan
Benavidez gets tagged and is too square His primary advantage is his stamina and volume However if your opponent has lights out power and can conuss you repeatedly then it's not as easy as the fanboys think Opateia is SOLID mass and has a genetic size/strength/power advantage over a not-so-big opponent with gyno boobs. He is also fluid and has good movement. Jai knocks him down repeatedly
Pack it up lad. Jai ain't no flabby former super middleweight. Sole has been at 200 pounds since he was 17. A piñata at a 8 year old's bday gets hit less cleanly than Zurdo, who has not had a stoppage since we all had to wear surgical masks to check our mail. I guarantee you on all that is holy DB will scamper back down to 175 and never mention uso Jai's name again until he is safely at heavyweight.
I think the super fast and accurate 6 - 12 punch combinations would see Benavidez outpoint Opetaia. As long as the options on the table are realistic (regarding Benavidez) and within the realms of fairness, Benavidez will win. They say that intelligent matchmaking is vital to a boxers success. Benavidez does get hit, he leaves himself open. There's talk of Benavidez moving up to heavyweight or dropping back down to 175 pounds. Taking punches from a super fast hard hitting heavyweight like a 240 pound Itauma is extremely risky, dropping nearly 20 pounds to fight a super fast technical boxer like Bivol is extremely risky.
Both are good fighters but Opetaia is a natural Cruiserweight and Benavidez is not imo,just look how fleshy he was in last night’s fight. Benavidez should drop back down to Light heavyweight and see if he can get Bivol or Beterbiev to fight him and clear the Division out and go Undisputed before moving up to Cruiserweight permanently. At this point right now with Opetaia being the natural Cruiserweight I have to give him the edge but still would not be surprised if Benavidez pulled off the win either . Benavidez v Bivol is the fight I’ve wanted to see for a long time tbh,shame he gave the belt up .