IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Zuffa Boxing champion Jai Opetaia has a message for rival David Benavidez.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Opetaia would defend his Zuffa Boxing and Ring Magazine title against Noel Mikaelian on September 12th’s Garcia-Benn undercard.
Only ONE can be the best cruiserweight in the world! 🏆@JaiOpetaia1 v Noel Mikaelian will meet in the #GarciaBenn co-main event!
SEP 12 | 📺 @ParamountPlus + @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/ivCchxOsn7
— Zuffa_Boxing (@Zuffa_Boxing) August 4, 2026
Opetaia, who has called for a fight against Benavidez, credited Mikaelian for taking the fight while Benavidez declined.
“This is a huge card, and I look forward to showing the world once again why I’m the best cruiserweight on the planet,” Opetaia said. “Credit to Noel for stepping up to the plate while others — yes, David Benavidez, I’m talking about you — continue to run and hide.”
Mikaelian, the WBC champion, decided to face Opetaia instead of his mandatory challenger, Benavidez.
“When I step into the ring on September 12 against Jai Opetaia in Las Vegas, I intend to defend my world championship. This is the fight I’ve wanted since becoming a two-time world champion, and I’m ready to deliver,” Mikaelian said. “I haven’t fought since December 2025 because of circumstances outside of my control. I refused to stay inactive. Champions are meant to defend their titles, and that’s exactly what I’m prepared to do.”
Mikaelian’s advisor Anthony Girges claims Benavidez’s team never sent a reasonable offer after he was made the mandatory challenger.
“My job has always been to put Noel in the best position to succeed. More than 60 days after Noel vs. David Benavidez was ordered, we still haven’t received a bona fide offer. Noel wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines any longer,” said Anthony Girges, Mikaelian’s advisor. “This isn’t just about two champions in Noel and Opetaia. It’s about protecting the integrity of the sport and making the fights the fans deserve.”