PHOENIX — David Benavidez is preparing for a high-stakes unification bout against WBC cruiserweight champion Michal Cieslak on Saturday, December 12, in Arizona. Should Benavidez emerge victorious, he is expected to move toward a highly anticipated showdown with Australian standout Jai Opetaia, potentially for the undisputed cruiserweight crown pending the outcome of Opetaia’s ongoing legal action against the IBF.
Kyrone Davis, who faced Benavidez in 2021, believes the American’s physical evolution will be the deciding factor in a potential clash with Opetaia. Speaking to FightHype, Davis noted, “I think that Benavidez beats him. Benavidez looks like he is getting bigger, it’s almost like he is prepping to go to heavyweight.” Davis added that during a previous encounter, Benavidez’s physical presence made Opetaia appear small by comparison.
While the Benavidez-Cieslak bout awaits formal announcement, reports suggest the undercard could feature Denzel Bentley defending his WBO middleweight title against Yoenli Hernandez. Opetaia is expected to attend the December 12 event in Arizona to face off with the winner, setting the stage for a potential Cinco De Mayo matchup.