David Benavidez snubs Jai Opetaia for three-belt cruiserweight unification

23 Oct 2026 • 6:55 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

David Benavidez snubs Jai Opetaia for three-belt cruiserweight unification

  • Undefeated boxer David Benavidez will face Michael Cieslak in a three-belt cruiserweight unification bout on 5 December.
  • The match puts Benavidez's WBO and WBA world titles on the line against Cieslak's WBC belt, bringing the winner closer to undisputed status.
  • The fight delays a highly anticipated clash with Australian superstar Jai Opetaia, despite the pair agreeing to fight during an in-ring face-off last month.
  • Benavidez intends to sign a three-fight contract following the Cieslak bout, targeting future fights against Opetaia, Artur Beterbiev, and Oleksandr Usyk.
  • Cieslak captured the vacant WBC title by stopping Jean Pascal in June, with his only loss in the last four years coming against Briton Lawrence Okolie.

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