Jai Opetaia could cash in on a massive heavyweight payday against Deontay Wilder, but that detour could easily backfire once he returns to cruiserweight. Packing on size for Wilder only to strip it off for David Benavidez is the exact trap Chris Mannix sees ahead.
Discussing the fight with Sergio Mora, Mannix estimated Opetaia might scale around 210 to 212 pounds at heavyweight. His real concern centers on what happens if the Australian tries dropping back to 200 to meet Benavidez within six months.
“Adding that weight, adding that muscle, and then like within six months later dropping back down to 200 to fight the toughest opponent you could possibly face in the cruiserweight division. I think there’s a little bit of risk there as well,” said Mannix.
Mannix pointed to Roy Jones Jr.’s struggles after jumping to heavyweight and cutting back to light heavyweight. While Opetaia’s weight jump would be much smaller, Mannix questioned how easily the Australian could shed that newly built muscle at 31 years old.
That reality makes camp preparation for Wilder critical. Opetaia has to determine how much extra size he genuinely requires against a faded puncher whose work rate has fallen off. Bulking up recklessly could leave him facing an agonizing weight cut before dealing with Benavidez’s relentless pressure.
Mora favors Wilder as an opponent because the former champion scales lighter than most modern heavyweights. He believes Opetaia’s movement would thoroughly confuse the aging veteran, delivering far more mainstream eyes than an ordinary cruiserweight title defense.
Mannix agreed on the financial appeal, calling it “a ton of money” and “a ton of visibility.” Even so, he warned that Wilder’s right hand remains an eraser regardless of career decline.
A bout with Benavidez is still just a possibility rather than a signed deal. If that remains the target, Opetaia cannot focus entirely on handling Wilder. His team must plan the weight management carefully so he can drop back to 200 pounds at peak strength.
