A highly-anticipated showdown between David Benavidez and Jai Opetaia could now be around the corner.

The two cruiserweights have been linked to a battle against one another over the past few months, and it now could become a reality after Opetaia was victorious on Saturday.

The New Zealander claimed a ninth round stoppage win over Noel Mikaelian at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, after a dominant display which saw Opetaia win virtually every round up to that point.

Attention could now turn to a clash with three-division world champion Benavidez, after the pair were involved in a face-off in the ring and both agreeing to face each other next May.

Benavidez: “Let’s do it right here next year for Cinco De Mayo.”

Opetaia: “Done. It’s done”

Benavidez: “Respect, he’s a strong fighter but there can only be one monster. He likes war and I’m the exact same way so it will be one hell of a fight.”

Benavidez was a two-time super middleweight world champion and remains the WBC light heavyweight champion, but last time out he moved up to 200lbs and stopped Gilberto Ramirez inside six rounds to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles.

Before a potential clash with Opetaia next May can take place, Benavidez is first expected to return to action before the end of the year, with a reported battle against Michal Cieslak set to come in December.

The vacant WBC cruiserweight belt could be on the line in that contest, after the governing body didn’t sanction the belt to be on the line between Opetaia and current full WBC champion Mikaelian.