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David Benavidez says 'I don't duck nobody' when asked about Jai Opetaia fight on Cinco de Mayo

Benavidez says a fight with Opetaia will be for the undisputed cruiserweight belts, but gave no date. He first faces Michal Cieslak on 5 December.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published · AI-assisted reporting
David Benavidez on Jai Opetaia: I don't duck nobody
Original graphic: Combat Sports UK

David Benavidez has answered talk that he ducked Jai Opetaia, saying he does not duck anyone after being asked in an interview about a fight with him on Cinco de Mayo.

The interviewer suggested Cinco de Mayo as the date for the Opetaia fight and asked whether it could be made for the undisputed title. Benavidez said: "It's going to be undisputed... I mean, it don't even matter. I'mma win."

He added: "At the end of the day, we're fighting for undisputed belts. He's the champ that everybody said I was ducking, and I told people I don't duck nobody. I mean, I just want to fight the best in the world. I want my respect, and I'm gonna get it one way or another."

Benavidez did not give a date or venue for the fight. The WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion first meets Michal Cieslak on 5 December in a three-belt unification.

Benavidez has said he will sign a new three-fight contract after the Cieslak bout, and he has named Opetaia and Artur Beterbiev as the opponents he wants.

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About this report

Reported by the Combat Sports UK desk. Times are UK and Irish time, and we update the report when the facts change. How we work.