A Benavidez Usyk showdown could be on the cards, with David Benavidez claiming talks are underway with Oleksandr Usyk. However, a Benavidez Opetaia fight for the undisputed cruiserweight crown may come first.
Usyk is coming towards the end of his decorated career. He has won the undisputed crown at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
A mouthwatering Benavidez Usyk fight has previously been mooted and ‘The Mexican Monster’ says it’s now a real possibility.
Benavidez, who holds the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles, will be within one belt of undisputed glory if he defeats WBC champion Michal Cieslak on December 5 in Arizona and a win would strengthen his case for a fight with Usyk.
Benavidez wants Usyk at cruiserweight
And the Phoenix native admits he’s hoping to lure Usyk down to cruiserweight, should he claim all four titles and make Benavidez vs Usyk an undisputed fight.
“We have spoken to Usyk about coming down to cruiserweight,” he told Fight Hub TV.
“It would be for undisputed. Right now he has no belts at heavyweight.
“He’s the lineal champ, but there’s no belts. He let all the belts go.”
Benavidez accepts a Usyk clash would be huge at heavyweight, but believes the stakes would be greater at cruiserweight.
“Obviously it would be a big fight at heavyweight, but there’s more history if this fight was for all four belts, but we’ll see.
“If they want me to go up to heavyweight I don’t give a f***. I want to fight the best people and if I’ve got to go up there and fight for the lineal belt with no belts I’ll do that.
“I want my respect and I’ll get it one way or another.”
Benavidez vs Opetaia?
Before any Benavidez Usyk fight can be for undisputed, Benavidez may well have to face Jai Opetaia.
The IBF stripped Opetaia of his belt in March and the title remains vacant.
The Australian is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the IBF. He is seeking to have his title reinstated.
If Opetaia is successful, he could set up an undisputed title showdown with Benavidez, potentially paving the way for Usyk to come down and challenge for all four belts.
The pair discussed a potential fight after Opetaia defeated Noel Mikaelian in September and Benavidez believes the fight will be for the undisputed crown.
“It’s going to be [for] undisputed,” he added.
“It don’t even matter. I’m going to win. That s*** is coming with me.
“That s*** don’t matter. At the end of the day we’re fighting for undisputed belts.
“He’s the champ that everybody said I was ducking and I told people I don’t duck nobody.”
