Benavidez Reveals Three-Fight Plan for 2027/28 Involving Opetaia, Beterbiev, Usyk

WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion David Benavidez revealed a three-fight plan for 2027/28 involving Jai Opetaia, Artur Beterbiev, and Oleksandr Usyk. The sequence would follow his December 5 clash with Michal Cieslak.

Benavidez told Brian Custer on The Last Stand podcast that he promised to fight Opetaia on Cinco de Mayo next year. “We’re talking about Opetaia. We’re talking about Beterbiev. And then we’re maybe talking about Usyk,” Benavidez said.

The fight between David Benavidez and Jai Opetaia is reportedly the most likely of the three to take place in May 2027, as the pair have already discussed facing each other. Benavidez said, “The fight that I got to honor first is the fight with Opetaia because I told him I’d fight him Cinco de Mayo next year.”

David Benavidez stated that he thinks a fight with Artur Beterbiev is better for both of them at cruiserweight. “I think it’s a better fight for both of us at cruiserweight,” Benavidez said.

Artur Beterbiev’s availability for a fight with David Benavidez reportedly depends on a proposed spring 2027 rubber match with Dmitry Bivol in Russia.

Should Artur Beterbiev lose to Dmitry Bivol for a second time, it is reportedly unlikely he would immediately jump to cruiserweight to fight David Benavidez.

Oleksandr Usyk has relinquished his major heavyweight titles. He has stated his desire to face Deontay Wilder before retiring, which may prevent him from fighting David Benavidez.

The IBF cruiserweight belt is currently vacant. An alternative avenue for a fight between David Benavidez and Oleksandr Usyk could be an inaugural Zuffa Boxing title bout.