The experienced trainer didn’t discount Opetai’s ability, but suggested the undefeated cruiserweight has some growth left before he faces some of the most established fighters in the division.

“Opetaia, I think he gets hurt in every fight he fights,” Benavidez Sr. said to Sean Zittel. “He gets injured fighting unknown fighters. I think he needs a little more experience.”

IBF champion Opetaia is viewed by fans as a top contender in the gaunt cruiserweight division. His two victories over former champion Mairis Briedis, who was already over 30 years aged, remain the most significant victories in his history.

Still, Benavidez Sr. believes other champions pose more stern challenges at the moment.

“I think Beterbiev, Bivol and Ramirez are more risky than Opetaia,” Jose senior said. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good fighter. He’ll be a great fighter. But right now he doesn’t have the experience that David has.”

Benavidez Sr. also pointed to Ramirez as his closest focus, given the Mexican player’s experience and position in the sport. Gilberto already held the super middleweight title before moving up in weight and becoming the cruiserweight champion again.

Benavidez is expected to challenge Zurdo in a cruiserweight fight, which his father sees as a prime opportunity to prove that his son can successfully compete at lithe heavyweight. Jose Sr. expects his son to look impressive in this fight.

“That’s the plan,” Benavidez Sr. said when asked about the possibility of winning after the stoppage. “I think he’ll keep it ninth or tenth. David can’t just win the fight. He has to look spectacular to be in the bigger fights.”

While Opetaia remains a potential future opponent, depending on the development of the cruiserweight division, Benavidez Sr suggested the Australian champion needs even more time and experience before being considered the most risky challenge available to his son.

Keyshawn Davis is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing fighters in boxing, and it’s not just the fans who have impressed him.

The 27-year-old from Norfolk, Virginia has 14 fights in his professional career and remains undefeated. He briefly held the WBO lightweight title after defeating Denys Berinchyk, but lost the belt at weight before his first defense was canceled. With some issues outside the ring sorted out and his weight boost, it’s demanding to imagine anything or anyone stopping his growth any time soon.

While Keyshawn’s athleticism and boxing IQ are evident, he also gained fans for completing clinical events. One man who can prove his strength is rising heavyweight contender Richard Torrez Jr.

Both Torrez and Davis won silver medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – which were held in 2021 due to the COVID19 pandemic – and were snapped up by Top Rank shortly thereafter to begin their professional campaigns.

Interview with Fight Hub TVTorrez thought back to his Team USA days and remembered sparring with “The Businessman.”

“I sparred with Keyshawn Davis. I tell you what, I go demanding on Keyshawn, man, because Keyshawn is tough.

“People say, ‘Oh, Richard, why do you work so demanding in the lighter weight classes?’ Keyshawn punches like a heavyweight, man. I don’t take him lightly… When we sparred among the amateurs, we cracked up. I’ll get back to you. Just because I’m a heavyweight doesn’t mean anything, you’re at the level of a world champion, we’ll spar.”

Davis became the first man to stop the crafty and persistent Jamaine Ortiz in January. That was his debut at 140 pounds, but he has since confirmed that he will likely move straight up to 147 pounds for his next fight, focusing on fighters like Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia. According to Torrez, his power will work well.

As for the heavyweight contender, his IBF final elimination against Frank Sanchez was recently postponed due to the Cuban’s injury. Torrez will want to reschedule the fight as soon as possible, especially since the belt currently held by Oleksandr Usyk may become vacant soon.

Wilder had previously been linked with a clash with the Ukrainian champion before negotiations cooled down.

Usyk considered the possibility of fighting Wilder earlier this year after he declined interest in fighting Fabio Wardley and walked away from one of his belts. Discussions about a heavyweight bout continued for months, but the fight never reached the contract stage.

The landscape changed quickly. Usyk is now expected to defend his title against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven in May in Egypt, part of a plan that he says includes three more fights before retiring.

Also on that shortlist is a possible meeting with the winner of Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, as well as a third fight with Tyson Fury. Wilder’s name was not mentioned.

The former WBC heavyweight champion said the omission surprised him.

“Oh, Deontay Wilder isn’t there? He changed course,” Wilder said Daily mail.

Wilder suggested his reputation as one of the most hazardous punchers in the division may have played a role.

“Most of the time when people meet me and see me, there is an intimidation factor,” Wilder said.

Still, he insisted the situation wasn’t changing his direction.

“We’ll see if it happens, if it doesn’t happen it won’t ruin my dreams,” Wilder said. “I’m still here whether he’s here or not. No matter who’s here, I’m not here for any other fighter in the division.”

Wilder’s immediate attention now turns to another task. The American boxer is scheduled to face veteran Derek Chisora ​​on April 4 in London. This fight took place after prolonged negotiations with Usyk.

Wilder said the timetable for Usyk discussions was simply moving too slowly for a player at his stage of the game.

“Even though we were in talks with Usyk, we still didn’t have a date or a place, we were still hanging around,” Wilder said. talkSPORT.

“In boxing, everything is very tardy or very rapid. There is no in between. And this was very tardy.”

At the age of 40, Wilder said waiting was not an option.

“I’m an older player; I can’t sit idly by like a teenage player. So when we were negotiating with Usyk, we started negotiating with Chisora.”

By the time talks with Usyk resumed, the contract with Chisora ​​had already been finalized.

“And then when we signed the contract with Chisora, then Usyk’s people came and said, ‘OK, let’s go, we’re ready,'” Wilder said. “But I had no intention of doing Chisora ​​like that.”

Wilder is now focused on the fight in London. Chisora ​​remains one of the division’s most persistent pressure fighters, a man who forces exchanges and keeps the pace high.

The task is clear. Wilder still has a right hand that can end the fight the moment it lands. Now he needs to start stringing together wins if he wants his name to come up again when heavyweight belts are up for grabs.