“You cannot run around talking about legacy and how Canelo ducked you, and there’s a fight available with a killer at 75 in Beterbiev and an excellent young fighter in Opetaia at 200 pounds and you’re the one if it’s true, by the way, I’d love to hear Benavidez’s side of the story,” Kellerman said on Inside the Ring.
“We’ve had David Benavidez on the show and the Mexican Monster, we would love to have you back because we’re all big fans, but I would love to hear Benavidez come here maybe say as soon as next week and explain his side of this.”
Kellerman went on to identify Jai Opetaia as the opponent he most wants to see Benavidez face, suggesting the cruiserweight champion represents the type of legacy fight Benavidez has long demanded from others.
“My number one fight I’d like to see is Benavidez and Opetaia at 200 pounds,” Kellerman said. “To me, that has supplanted Beterbiev as the fight to see because that’s really where Benavidez belongs.”
“Those are the two best guys in the division. That would be Benavidez’s real first title shot at a Ring Magazine championship.”
Benavidez has previously praised Opetaia’s abilities while expressing reservations about immediately pursuing the fight. The former two-division world champion has pointed to the need to adjust fully to cruiserweight and questioned whether promotional politics involving Zuffa Boxing could complicate negotiations.
“Kellerman’s remarks echo a question that has become increasingly common since Benavidez moved to cruiserweight: if he expects others to chase the toughest fights, should the same standard apply to him?”
