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Is Opetaia still cruiserweight top dog amid Benavidez threat?
Jai Opetaia will bid to prove he remains boxing's cruiserweight kingpin tonight - even if he has no belt to show for it.
The Australian lost his IBF strap earlier this year after he was unceremoniously stripped following his Zuffa Boxing debut.
Having suggested a move to the promotion could help achieve undisputed glory, the star seemed to have egg on his face.
Hopes to regather a major title this week against Noel Mikaelian also appear to be iced as the WBC plot to strip the latter.
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Opetaia's pedigree remains strong, of course - but in his absence from the summit, David Benavidez has moved on his turf.
So, is the Sydneysider still top dog in the division? Or has 'The Mexican Monster' dethroned him? DAZN News considers.
What has happaned at cruiserweight?
Opetaia's troubles with the IBF began after news broke that he would compete for an unsanctioned Zuffa cruiserweight belt.
The former subsequently stripped him after his victory over Brandon Glanton, with the title currently still vacant as a result.
Elsewhere though, light-heavyweight champion Benavidez proved brutal on his division debut, dispatching Gilberto Ramirez.
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Such a clean victory over 'Zurdo' sent a warning shot across the rest of the division, one bolstered by WBA and WBO straps.
That earned him a mandatory encounter with Mikaelian, only for the latter to suggest discussions fell apart over any clash.
Subsequently, that led the star to Opetaia - and with it, the likely sacrifice of his WBC belt for a failure to comply with orders.
Is Benavidez a threat to Opetaia?
In short, yes. For the past few years, even without the calibre of opponent, Opetaia has generally been paid his plaudits.
A failure to secure bouts with Ramirez, or ex-champion Chris Billam-Smith, has not particularly diminished his reputation.
That changes with Benavidez's arrival however - a multi-weight world champion who has torn through most of his rivals.
These are not low-end opponents either. Caleb Plant, David Morrell and Ramirez were all highly feted operators to boot.
Taken merely on a name-by-name record, few other fighters can match Benavidez right now - and that includes Opetaia.
How can Opetaia reclaim position?
This is easier said than done, given the politics of boxing - but a bout and victory over Benavidez is surely the best way.
That will require each man to win their impending bouts, of course, starting with Mikaelian in Las Vegas this weeekend.
But even if Opetaia succeeds , a clash with Benavidez is not a foregone conclusion if the latter wants undisputed status.
That vacant IBF belt the former previously held appears likely to be contested between Viddal Riley and David Nyika next.
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Meanwhile, Mikaelian's WBC belt appears likely to go on the line for interim champion Michał Cieślak - and Benavidez too.
The latter pair are expected to meet in a December showdown that could see the latter depart with three belts to his name.
Should the timelines align, would a clash with Riley or Nyika for the fourth and final strap be a priority over Opetaia then?
It is a knotty situation. But one thing is for certain - the latter cannot afford to rest on his reputation if he is to reinforce it now.
Watch Garcia vs. Benn on DAZN
Britain's Conor Benn looks to become a world champion for the first time against US superstar Ryan Garcia on Saturday, September 12.
Watch the fight exclusively in the UK & Ireland and other territories (check for availability) on DAZN PPV or included in our Ultimate Tier subscription.
