All Business: Benavidez gets the nod instead of Wilder in Usyk’s plan

By Norm Frauenheim

Deontay Wilder’s date with Jai Opetaia on the Dec. 11 Tyson-Fury-Anthony Joshua card in Wales is official, confirmed this week by Dana White after a month of speculation about whether Wilder would instead fight Oleksandr Usyk at a different time and place.

Wilder told multiple media outlets that Usyk wanted too much money for a fight Usyk had said would be the last in his career.

Usyk asked for too much, probably because he discovered he could get a lot more against David Benavidez.

Benavidez, instead of Wilder, appears to be a business decision from Usyk, who looks and acts a lot more like a businessman these days than the rough and rumpled heavyweight with one big payday left in an undisputed career.

In the wake of a problematic stoppage of kick-boxer Rico

Verhoeven in Egypt last May, Usyk relinquished his heavyweight belts, looked around and foresaw Wilder as a possibility for a U.S. bout  in a farewell fight.

Five months later, something changed. Actually, a lot changed. Usyk got a new look, including high-end sunglasses and a visit to a salon instead of a barber. Then, he got a whole new outlook, including Benavidez instead of Wilder.

It makes sense. Probably, a lot more money too. The caveat: Benavidez must beat Michal Cieslak on Dec. 5 in an AZ homecoming and Usyk must schedule and win a tune-up.

Usyk announced the business plan during the live-stream last Saturday of Canelo Alvarez’ decision over Christian Mbilli. It was Halloween, but that was no disguise. Usyk wasn’t fooling around about what he hopes to accomplish in what his Team Director Sergey Lapin is already marketing as The Final Chapter.

Usyk intends to take a bow and collect a good paycheck against an emerging star instead of a faded one. Benavidez instead of Wilder.

Benavidez will be 30, primetime, on Dec. 17, Wilder was 41, years beyond his prime, on Oct. 22.

Put simply, Usyk is betting on the future instead of the past. Benavidez is at the cutting edge of names known by boxing’s emerging generation of fans.

 Wilder, a significant underdog (plus-550) against first-time heavyweight Opetaia in odds released Thursday, is yesterday, a bout or two from getting his name on the Hall of Fame ballot.

What’s more, there’s a chance Usyk can embellish his Hall of Fame resume. He was an undisputed great at heavyweight. He might have been even better at cruiserweight. He’s hoping to prove that for the last time in what is expected to be a fight for the undisputed cruiserweight title next year.

Benavidez or Wilder, who would you pick?

Stupid question.

Notes on a Scorecard

Benavidez has moved his training camp for Cieslak at Desert Diamond Area in Glendale to Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Vee Quiva. He’ll stage a public workout Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. 

Abel Ramos on Haney-Paro card

Welterweight contender Abel Ramos (29-6-3, 22 KOs).

of Casa Grande AZ, faces former champion Brian Norman (29-1, 23 KOs) Dec 19 at San Francisco’s on card featuring Devin Haney-Liam Paro.

“I’m super excited for this opportunity, said Ramos, an uncle to middleweight contender Jesus Ramos Jr. “Brian Norman Jr. always comes to fight, and with my action-packed style, I know this is going to be a fan-friendly fight for everyone at the Chase Center and watching on DAZN.

“This will be my first time in San Francisco, and I can’t wait to put on a show for the boxing fans to close out the year.”