Benavidez vs Opetaia

I got Benavidez pulling it out in the later stages.

 

Only unknown for me is Benavidez chin hasn't been tested at cruiser or at light heavyweight. Opetaia will land some power punches. How does Benavidez take them.

If he takes them well or roll with the punches then I think he can out work Opetaia for a 12 rnds unanimous decision.

Man I hope they make this and make it this fall instead of waiting till May of 2027.

 

Should be a two-fight contract from the get go. It's a super fight. No one will let a loss go. Or a draw.

 

Opetaia by tko imo

 

Just rewatched the Zurdo and Mikaelijan fights.

I'll say this: Benny dominated Zurdo, but not quite as totally as I remember. Zurdo landed quite a few punches, but was let down by his pillow fists. If it was Jai landing those punches then it would've been a different story. Benavidez also seemed to be struggling with the pace a little by the end, even tho it ended in round 6. Was having to take breathers and let Zurdo back into the fight. I think he will struggle to keep up with Jai.

The opposite was true of rewatching Opetaia-Mikaelijan: when I watched it the other day I thought Jai was struggling quite a bit and didn't look very impressive. But on rewatch I see it was pretty one-sided. Mikaelijan is awkward and hard to look good against, but other than one big shot which landed he didn't really have anything for Jai. Good performance against an awkward opponent with a lot of veteran moves.

I'm going with Jai by late stoppage (probably rounds 11 or 12 late). People have been a little mesmerised by Benavidez fighting guys like Zurdo and Yarde who don't move their head whatsoever and just plod forward. Against someone who moves in and out fast he won't look as impressive.

 

If Jai moves his head so much why was a plodder like Noel able to land that right hand so often? You keep talking about how will David handle the power but how will Jai be able to handle David's power? He beat the crap out of last 2 opponents and left Yarde knocked out standing. How many more opponents does David have to knock out before the narrative that David doesn't hit hard, dies?

You don't seem to realise David has better defense than Jai. His high guard and head movement is extremely underrated. He is damn hard to hit clean.

 

As well as being the biggest opponent of Benavidez's career, Jai would also be the best (on the proviso that talent wise I think Gvozdyk is above him, but at the time he fought Benavidez he was past it and coming off a long lay off.) Anyhow Benavidez would be in for a rude awakening against Opetaia, with Jai either stopping him or rendering him gunshy and winning a decision.

 

You think Benavidez is capable of being rendered gun shy? When did you start watching him fight? last week?

 

i dont believe it will be close. 2 different levels. i thought perhaps jais size might give him an advantage, but david looks perfectly suited for this weight. has the length, power and chin for it. just a significant gap in talent.

 

I think a lot of you are going to be surprised by how easily Opetaia deals with him.

 

What % do you have this fight at?

 

99% chance of New South in ya mouth.

 

Hard to split them . Real 50:50 for me.

Two very very good fighters. Let's get it asap.

 

I favor opetaia, but will be rooting for benavidez.