IN the fiery build-up to Benavidez-Morrell, the Cuban WBA champion challenged Benavidez’s inherited ‘Mexican Monster’ nickname.
Mike Tyson blessed the 28-year-old with that moniker on a podcast and it was contemptuously rebuffed at the time by Jermall Charlo. Morrell also revealed that he was a non-believer before Benavidez dished out 12 rounds of beastly punishment in the T-Mobile Arena.
“Yeah, he knows whose world this is. It’s Monstro’s world,” grinned the winner.
“Big shout out to Morrell. He took a tough test. I know he’s gonna be a tough fighter. That’s why I prepared so hard for this, and I’m just happy that the people were able to get a good show tonight.”
It was a tense affair throughout. Benavidez always seemed to have the edge. From the middle rounds, Morrell began boxing like a fighter who wanted to navigate the distance. Despite his opponent’s punching power and athletic abilities, Benavidez was presented with few surprises.
“I prepared for everything. I knew he was a great fighter, so I had to be on my P’s and Q’s. Head movement was good, defence was good, to be honest I thought he was gonna hit harder but he didn’t!”
Things got a little spicy in round 11 when Benavidez touched down and received a count from referee Thomas Taylor. At the end of that round, Morrell undid the bonus by getting a point deducted for a petulant shot after the bell.
Benavidez explained: “I wasn’t really hurt, but it was after the bell. That little bullshit ass knockdown, though, got me out of balance. It is what it is. It was a good fight.
“He was easier to hit than I expected, so every opportunity I saw I went for it. This is the biggest career win so far. Look at all the people who came out supporting. This is amazing, a dream come true for me.”
As a proven Pay-Per-View star, closing in on pound-for-pound status, Benavidez’s chasing of Canelo has been replaced with a gaze upwards at the winner of Beterbiev-Bivol.
“I just want to be the best of my era and whoever they need me to fight next, I want to unify all four titles, so that’s next,” he concluded.
