DAVID MORRELL has promised a knockout victory when he takes on David Benavidez on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The bout has piqued the interest of boxing fans worldwide, with two of the sport’s most entertaining action fighters colliding in a match-up that could very well end up being one of the year’s finest.
While super-middleweight king Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez hasn’t seemed too keen to step into the ring with Benavidez, Morrell, on the other hand, has spent the best part of the last two years campaigning for a shot at the newly-dubbed ‘Mexican Monster’.
Now Morrell’s opportunity has arrived, the Cuban is as confident as ever that he will be the one with his hand raised on February 1.
“I don’t care what he brings into the ring,” said Morrell at the fight week Grand Arrivals in Las Vegas.
“They call him the monster, but I’m not worried about any of that. I have my team behind me and I’m ready.
“I’m 100% confident. I have Ronnie Shields in my corner and we had a great training camp in Texas. I feel great and I’m not worried about what anyone else is saying. I’m going to get the last word on Saturday.”
As tantalising a stylistic match-up as exists in the sport, Saturday’s main event pits the relentless, swarming offense of Benavidez’s against Morrell’s explosive southpaw skill. It is a blend that all-but-guarantees blood, guts and brutality.
Despite having had just 11 professional bouts, Morrell insists he is up for the challenge, and vowed to become not only the first man to defeat Benavidez, but do so inside the distance.
“Inside of the ring, nobody can stop what we’re gonna do to each other, just the referee.
“I promise that I’m here to knock him out. I have everything I need to win. This is my time and my moment. 2025 is my year.”
With Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol renewing hostilities on February 22 for the undisputed light-heavyweight crown, a win for Morrell this weekend will put him in pole position to challenge the winner.
“I’m excited for this big opportunity,” said the 27-year-old.
“This is going to open the door for other Cuban fighters to follow me. I’m extremely happy to have this moment almost be here.”
