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.
World Boxing News provides a round-by-round scorecard as Johnny Fisher faces Michael Pirotton at the Copper Box Arena in London.
Fisher and Pirotton collide over ten rounds at heavyweight as Zuffa Boxing stages its latest card in the United Kingdom.
The Romford Bull returns to action with Pirotton standing in his way as the British heavyweight looks to continue his climb.
WBN provides a live scorecard of the contest below, plus live results throughout the event.
Fisher vs Pirotton Scorecard
Johnny Fisher vs Michael Pirotton
(Round-by-round scorecard will refresh every 2 mins)
Heavyweight Copper Box Arena, London 10×3
Round
Fisher
Pirotton
Round 1
10
9
Round 2
10
9
Round 3
9
10
Round 4
9
10
Round 5
10
9
Round 6
10
9
Round 7
10
9
Round 8
10
9
Round 9
10
9
Round 10
10
9
WBN Totals:
98
92
Official Result: FISHER MD – 98-92, 96-95, 95-95
Zuffa Boxing
Preview
Fisher faces Pirotton in the first fight of his lucrative deal with Dana White and Zuffa Boxing.
The Briton enters the contest with a 14-1 record, while Pirotton brings a 12-2 record into the Zuffa Boxing 11 bout.
The event is available live on Sky in the United Kingdom and Paramount+.
The Fisher vs Pirotton event unfolds alongside more live coverage on World Boxing News.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
World Boxing News provides results and updates as Johnny Fisher faces Michael Pirotton on Zuffa Boxing 11 at the Copper Box Arena in London.
Fisher returns to heavyweight action over ten rounds against Pirotton as part of Zuffa Boxing’s latest event in the United Kingdom.
Craig Richards faces Radivoje Kalajdzic at light heavyweight, while Lee Cutler takes on Louis Greene and Cesar Mateo Tapia faces Leo Ruiz at middleweight.
WBN provides results and updates from every bout as they happen.
Results
All times are local BST.
23:41
Johnny Fisher defeated Michael Pirotton by majority decision after ten competitive heavyweight rounds at the Copper Box Arena. WBN scored the fight 98-92 for Fisherwhile the official judges returned scores of 98-92 and 96-95 for Fisher, with the third scoring it 95-95.
22:42
Radivoje Kalajdzic improved to 31-3 with a unanimous decision over Craig Richards, who dropped to 20-5-1 after a good ten-round scrap. Both men had their moments and hurt each other at times before “Hot Rod” got the verdict on the scorecards, which included knocking Richards down for the first time in his career.
21:43
Lee Cutler carded a unanimous decision win over Louis Greene in their ten-round middleweight clash. Judges scorecard 98-92 and 97-93 twice in favor on Cutler, who improves to 17-2.
20:52
Ahead of the three main bouts, Zuffa’s only female fighter, Kayla Allendefeated Edina Kiss via TKO in their super lightweight bout.
20:32
Leo Ruiz overcame Cesar Tapia over 10 rounds at middleweight, scoring a unanimous decision to move to 18-1 as Ruiz Tapia suffered a first loss.
19:29
Alex MacMillan moved to 5-0 with a second-round stoppage of Guillaume Azagier, who went down twice in the opening round and again before the finish at 0:32 of the second.
18:40
Rogelio Romero improved to 7-0 with a third-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Aurel Ignat, ending the cruiserweight contest at 2:12.
18:24
Alexis De la Cerda improved to 10-0 with a unanimous decision over Cain Lewis, taking the eight-round contest 80-72, 79-74 and 79-73.
17:42
Fred Pullen marked his professional debut with a four-round points victory over Leonardo Faretina, who was dropped in the second round.
Remaining Bouts
Johnny Fisher vs. Michael Pirotton — 10 rounds, heavyweight
Craig Richards vs. Radivoje Kalajdzic — 10 rounds, light heavyweight
TV Coverage
The event is available live on Sky in the United Kingdom and Paramount+.
Follow WBN’s live boxing coverage throughout the event.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
World Boxing News provides results and updates as Liam Davies faces Nathaniel Collins in the main event at bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham.
Davies and Collins collide over 12 rounds for the EBU European featherweight title at the top of the Queensberry Promotions card.
Luke McCormack faces Kay Prospere for the vacant British super lightweight title, while Bradley Goldsmith takes on Amir Abubaker for the IBF International middleweight title.
WBN provides results and updates from every bout as they happen.
Results
All times are local BST.
23:11
Gerome Warburton defeated Nathan Heaney for the second time running as the middleweight put an exclamation mark on his first victory.
Heaney walks away from the sport having been an entertainer through a long carer, without reaching the heights of a world title.
22:04
Liam Davies improved to 19-1 after Nathaniel Collins retired at the end of the seventh round due to a cut over his right eye. Collins had also been dropped in the opening round as Davies successfully defended the European featherweight title.
21:22
Bradley Goldsmith improved to 17-1 with a seventh-round stoppage of Amir Abubaker to retain his IBF International middleweight title. Abubaker went down in the fourth and three times in the seventh before the finish at 2:42.
20:10
Lewis Richardson improved to 3-0 with a shutout six-round points victory over Ivan Trofimovich, earning a 60-54 decision.
19:56
Luke McCormack moved to 6-0 and claimed the vacant British super lightweight title with a tenth-round knockout of Kay Prospere, who was counted out after a right uppercut at 1:28.
18:55
Michael Hussain moved to 5-0 with a four-round points victory over Nabil Ahmed, earning a 39-38 decision.
18:11
Nelson Birchall moved to 12-0 with a third-round stoppage of Lewis Morris, who went down before the finish came at 1:12. Lasha Guruli also remained unbeaten at 5-0 after edging Hughie Wilson 77-75 over eight rounds.
17:22
Early action saw John Tom Varey and Reese Lynch claim four-round victories to move to 3-0 and 5-0 respectively.
TV Coverage
DAZN provides full worldwide coverage.
Follow WBN’s live boxing coverage throughout the event.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
