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Go beyond Zuffa or forget about the title fight – Benavidez warns his cruiserweight rivals

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David Benavidez dominates Zurdo Ramirez with a fourth-round knockdown during their cruiserweight fight

David Benavidez has set the conditions for winning the cruiserweight titles: fight him outside of Zuffa or forget about the shot after crashing Gilberto Ramirez in Las Vegas.

“If he wants to do that fight, we can make it happen… We can’t make it so there are no fights there,” Benavidez said of rival Jai Opetai at the post-fight press conference for his devastating sixth-round stoppage.

Benavidez detailed the situation with Opetaia and the current policy of the Zuffa league: “I don’t know why [Opetaia] he went to Zuffa. We could have had this fight right after this one. I don’t know if he was stripped down by the IBF and what he is or isn’t. I’m not even going there – I’m not fighting for the Zuffa title.”

He continued: “But I mean, I don’t know. I think I’ll definitely fight him in the future,” Benavidez said.

“I respect Opetaia; I think he’s a great fighter. He needs to come back here [away from Zuffa] for these fights to take place.”

“I think everyone knows what this is about. There’s just a lot of politics involved, you know?”

Zuffa Fighters face title locks

Zuffa began to acquire a number of former champions and cruiserweight title challengers. Jai Opetaia was the title holder until he entered the format and was stripped of the title for fighting for the Zuffa belt.

Brandon Glanton, Ryan Rozicki and former WBO leader Chris Billam-Smith also joined the fight.

Benavidez warned that the league format could limit opportunities: “Dana White showed he didn’t want to fight PBC. He didn’t.

“I don’t even want to feel – I don’t want to sound disrespectful, but it’s just… that’s what it looks like from the outside.”

DAZN

Consequences for future matchups

The implications are clear: opportunities for Zuffa fighters to fight for sanctioned titles may be confined, while PBC-sanctioned fights will become the only viable path to defeating Benavidez.

Benavidez’s post-fight remarks draw a clear line: challengers must go beyond Zuffa to earn a legitimate shot at the title, meaning future matchups in the division and the scope of potential championship opportunities will face obstacles or uncertainty.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a seasoned boxing reporter with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives and reported in-ring performances. Read the full biography.

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Hamzah Sheeraz called for ‘war’ against Anthony Joshua by hitting him with a ‘devastating punch’

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Hamzah Sheeraz called out for ‘war’ on Anthony Joshua undercard by ‘devastating puncher’

Hamzah Sheeraz won the WBO super middleweight title last month and the undefeated star wants a quick turnaround, with another 168-pounder stating he would be ready for the opportunity to fight the Briton at tiny notice.

Anthony Joshua will return to action next month when he faces Kristian Prenga in Jeddah on July 25, hoping to make his long-awaited showdown with arch-rival Tyson Fury.

Earlier this week Boxing Scene reported that two world titles could be up for grabs on the undercard, with both Josh Kelly and Sheeraz set to make their first defense of their world titles in the super welterweight and super middleweight divisions, respectively.

Although Kelly is reportedly scheduled to face Caoimhin Agyarko from Belfast, Sheeraz’s opponent is unknown and the only condition is a place in the top fifteen of the WBO rankings.

In an interview with Boxing News, 39-year-old Milorad Zizic, who is rated No. 9 by the WBO, shared his desire to challenge for Sheeraz’s crown in a fight where he could join Dejan Zlatičanin as the second Montenegrin world champion in boxing history.

“It would mean a lot to me. I live for this goal. It would be a great honor for me, my family, Montenegro and the entire Balkan region. Becoming only the second world champion in Montenegro’s history would be something truly special.”

“It would mean everything to me. I live for boxing. I truly believe this fight could become the upset of the decade.”

Zizić, once called the hardest punch Floyd Mayweather Sr. had ever seenand then shared his confidence in the proposed competition, in which he hopes to continue his streak of six consecutive fights that lasted no longer than two rounds.

“Hamzah Sheeraz is a true champion. He is in great shape and I have a lot of respect for him. But believe me, he has never faced such a devastating blow as I did. Believe me, he will never face such a devastating blow as I did. I respect him as a fighter, but not to the point of thinking that I cannot beat him. I believe in my abilities and I am sure that I can make my dream come true.

“It will be a war from the first bell, I know how it can be. If we fight and he survives five rounds, he will be the winner, but five rounds against me is a long time.

“If Hamzah and his team want this fight, I’m ready. If not, that’s fine too. I will keep moving forward, keep working and stay focused on my journey. My time will come.”

Although his head coach is Joco Todorovic, Zizic has previously been cornered by fan favorite four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr, who continues to train him.

Speaking to Boxing News, Jones explained why he thinks Zizic will be an compelling test for Sheeraz, agreeing with Zizic’s plan to force a shootout.

“Zizic is a very strenuous puncher, as is Sheeraz, they are both very strenuous punchers. Zizic was off for a minute, but he came back and got four quick wins, he’s back busy and I think it would be a great fight for Sheeraz.”

“Like I said, they’re both really good punchers, and Sheeraz won’t come across many people who can match his punching power, but Zizic has that punching power.”

“He has to go straight to him. He can’t try to box him, he’ll go straight to him. That would probably be the smartest approach because if you box him, as long as he [Sheeraz] means he will beat you.

“So your best chance is to get to him as rapid as you can and see if he can withstand your blows. If you wait, he’ll get you out of there.”

News on Sheeraz’s opponent – if he appears on the card – is expected soon, with fellow WBO-ranked contenders Bernardin Jakaj (No. 12) and Jack Bowen (No. 14) also among potential opponents.

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Image: Abraham 'Hammer' Perez Defeats Jonathan 'Bomba' Gonzalez!

Referee: Chris Juvenile.

Referee: Ben Rodriguez.

Referee: Ansel Stewart.

Referee: Ben Rodriguez.

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Eddie Hearn reveals why Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight may now need to be ‘renegotiated’

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Eddie Hearn reveals why Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight may now have to be ‘renegotiated’

Eddie Hearn has admitted that the long-awaited clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could be renegotiated, depending on the demands of paymaster Turki Alalshikha.

As of now, both British heavyweights will face each other later this year, provided they complete their warm-up fights.

While Fury’s fight has not yet been announced, it has been confirmed that Joshua will face Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“The Gypsy King” is expected to have a hard-fought fight in August, potentially against Nelson Hysa, following his April unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov.

If all goes to plan, ‘AJ’ and Fury should meet in the UK, although Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn revealed the location could be renegotiated.

This information was revealed after Dana White’s post-fight press conference at Zuffa Boxing 07, where UFC boss claimed to be the main promoter of the Fury and Joshua fight.

Furthermore, White also suggested that Joshua’s promoter Hearn has not yet been informed of the location, seemingly suggesting that the fight could take place in America.

In response, Hearn said IFL Television that this turn of events will have to be renegotiated and spelled out in both Joshua and Fury’s contracts.

“Without AJ’s consent, the fight cannot take place anywhere outside the UK. And there was no such consent.

“If there is a renegotiation and we want to make a deal again, I am sure we will consider it. [But] apart from money, we want this fight in the UK.

“We will act accordingly and will hold talks with Turki Alalshikh if ​​asked, but who really wants to watch this fight at 4am UK time?”

Given that the pair are most likely to perform in November, when British weather for stadium shows is unpredictable at best, fans may need to prepare for an event in the United States or even Saudi Arabia.

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