Boxing
Opetaia claims Benavidez and Zurdo are avoiding him in 2026
Published
5 months agoon
Jai Opetaia says David Benavidez and WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto Zurdo Ramirez are “dodging” him by fighting on May 2, 2026. He claims they don’t want to fight.
Opetaia calls it duck
Jai doesn’t understand why Zurdo (48-1, 30 KO) is facing Benavidez, who only recently moved up to 168 in 2024. He believes that he should fight him in a three-belt unification fight.
IBF cruiserweight champion Opetaia (28-0, 22 KO) says he wants to fight the winner of Benavidez vs. Zurdo, not because he wants either of them. He is focused on winning the WBA and WBO titles to become undisputed in the cruiserweight division.
“The Mexican Monster” Benavidez (31-0, 25 KO) had a look of surprise on his face when he was asked at the post-fight press conference last Saturday night if he would stay at cruiserweight and face Opetaia if he was victorious over Zurdo Ramirez. He didn’t seem to expect the question about why he hadn’t chosen Jai.
Fans notice Benavidez’s hesitation
While Benavidez said he did, he didn’t show the same energy he had when talking about fighting Ramirez. His behavior was noticed by fans on social media, who took it as a signal that he did not want to associate with Opetaia.
It’s one thing to move up to cruiserweight to face the 34-year-old Ramirez, but it’s a completely different situation facing Jai, who has one-punch power and lightning-fast hand speed. If Benavidez decides not to fight Opetaia, it will be understandable and he cannot be blamed for not taking that risk.
Benaivdez is currently on a heated streak, beating 175-pounders with his punching power, speed and size. Moving up to cruiserweight to fight the division king in Opetai could derail his career.
The cruiserweight king speaks
“They are clearly evading. It’s very obvious that they don’t want to fight,” Jai Opetaia said Jai McAllisterin reaction to the information that on May 2, 2026, David Benavidez will fight the WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
It would say a lot about Benavidez’s career if he moved up to the cruiserweight division to face Opetaia for the IBF belt in his first fight. He would show his mettle by fighting him straight up instead of jumping straight into the cruiserweight division against the aging 34-year-old Zuro Ramirez, who must beat Yuniel Dorticos and Chris Billiam-Smith after 12 rounds.
“In my opinion, you want to get better, raise your level and prove that you are the best,” Opetaia said. “But these guys see it a different way. Who knows what they’re aiming for? What is he proving? What is Zurdo trying to prove? Does this prove he’s the best in the cruiserweight division? I don’t think so.”
Ramirez would fight Benavidez because he obviously believes he can win. Moreover, considering that Benavidez is currently fighting in Turki Alalshikh’s Riyad Season, Gilberto fighting him makes financial sense. Not only does he have a chance to win, but the money will make it worth it.
Zurdo chooses the easier path
“He’s fighting a guy [Benavidez] who will fight in two weight classes,” Opetaia said about Zurdo. “What does that mean? You tell me. What should I say to that? If he wants to be the best, he has to beat the best. He certainly doesn’t do that.”
Benavidez moved up to 175 pounds three fights ago against Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15, 2024. He wasn’t looking good until last Saturday night when he fought 34-year-old Anthony Yarde, a fighter tailor-made for Benavidez.
“Yes, of course. It’s obviously something we want to do,” Opetaia said when asked if he wanted to fight the winner of Benavidez vs. Zurdo Ramirez. “We don’t chase competitors. We chase belts.”
Bob Smith wrote for Boxing News 24 since 2008, making him one of the site’s longest-serving contributors. With over a decade of experience, he has established himself as a senior boxing writer who accurately covers the global fight scene.
Bob’s work includes fight reports, news and features featuring world champions and emerging fighters alike, giving fans a clear picture of the sport’s past and present. Known for his consistency, accuracy and deep understanding of boxing, Bob remains a trusted voice for readers who want to stay up to date with global martial arts news.
Last update: 24/11/2025
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Sergei Gorokhov KO toppled after ring invasion in Turkey
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7 minutes agoon
April 27, 2026
Gorokhov (16-11-2) had already done damage with large shots, finishing Kalkan (7-0, 4 KO) with a spotless knockout that forced the referee to wave his hand. The task has been completed.
After being detained, Gorokhov walked to the opposite corner, where a fight began. That was enough. The cornermen ran inside, the voices became piercing, followed by punches. Within seconds, many people entered the ring.
The situation got out of the referee’s control. The horns could not be separated. Once the non-fighters make it through the ropes, the result will be written in the record books.
The footage showed flying chairs and people trading on ropes as security tried to take control of the situation. The recording shows objects thrown near the ropes. The announcements to stop the fight didn’t change anything. The ring is already gone.
The sanctioning authority has confined powers and the ruling follows standard procedure. When the ropes are broken and extra hands are involved, the score cannot stand and is removed from the scoresheet.
An investigation is ongoing and suspensions and penalties are expected once reports are submitted. The verdict now comes from the officials, not the blows that ended it.
Kalkan keeps his undefeated record in the books. Gorokhov leaves without the victory he earned. Disciplinary action is expected following the investigation.
Tomek Galm is a boxing journalist covering the global fight landscape since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, industry trends and fighter psychology.
Boxing
Oleksandr Usyk said he “can’t run away” from the newly emerged title challenger: “I will bully him”
Published
2 hours agoon
April 27, 2026
Although Oleksandr Usyk presented his three-fight plan, a recent challenger entered the fight with hopes of taking a shot at the Ukrainian and winning the unified world heavyweight titles.
Next month’s meeting with Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven kicks off what Usyk envisioned as a series of three hand-picked fights before his planned retirement in 2027, with his next dance partner being the winner of Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois.
However, the WBC is expected to demand that Usyk fight mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel in his next fight, and promoter Frank Warren believes he will be stripped of his belt if he fails to face the undefeated German.
Meanwhile, the WBA and IBF titles are not on the line against Verhoeven, which has fight fans wondering whether Usyk could soon be stripped of those belts as well.
Although if Usyk defends the WBA crown, Jarrell Miller will be waiting for him after him on Saturday evening he defeated Lenier Pero in the WBA eliminator final rise to title contention.
I’m talking to Fighting Hub TV after “Gigantic Baby” won, he told Usyk that there was nowhere to run or hide when fighting him.
“He’s a great fighter, man, but when you’re fighting a bully like me, there’s nowhere to run or hide. Usyk doesn’t really have crazy punching power, and he has trouble with guys who punch to the body and throw a lot of punches.”
This performance [against Pero] it was just a taste of what I could do. So the most essential thing is to go back and get the drawing board back. Let’s work and be ready for everyone.
I want Usyk to come back after the Rico fight and I can spank him.
If Usyk loses the WBA title, Miller could find himself in line for a title fight with current WBA Regular titleholder Murat Gassiew, who expected to be promoted to full champion. Although Moses Itauma would probably get the first shot at the proposed scrap with the Russian.
Boxing
David Benavidez has no room for error in the fight against Ramirez
Published
4 hours agoon
April 27, 2026
Benavidez enters Saturday’s fight with Gilberto Ramirez in a situation where even a tiny defeat may have a higher price than one defeat in history. Greater opportunities lie ahead, but those plans depend on beating Ramirez cleanly and leaving Las Vegas intact.
Benavidez will meet Ramirez on May 2 in Las Vegas in a fight for Ramirez’s WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles for $79.99. On paper, this is a bold move as Benavidez makes the jump from lightweight heavyweight to challenge an established titleholder who has already established himself in the division.
The pressure on Benavidez goes far beyond physical titles. For months, his name has been linked to huge opportunities at 175 pounds, most notably a clash with Dmitry Bivol. A loss to Ramirez would immediately derail those plans, forcing Benavidez into a rebuilding phase and delaying any significant career moves for the foreseeable future.
Winning in an ugly or narrow way can still invite skepticism. Benavidez is known for his constant pressure and high efficiency, and recently he has had a record of immaculate shots and has been forced to persevere in hard moments. Facing naturally larger opponents makes these defensive mistakes much more steep in the long run.
Ramirez may lack elite strength, but he has the experience and durability of a seasoned cruiserweight. He also enters the ring with much less weight on his shoulders than the challenger. All the pressure to perform rests entirely on Benavidez.
Therefore, the risk for Benavidez is much higher than for the man holding the belts. A victory will ensure that his path to mass fights remains clear, while any other result could immediately ruin his momentum and force him to spend time fighting Ramirez again. Getting stuck twice in the Ramirez fight would be a nightmare for Benavidez.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most essential fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
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