THIS weekend’s light-heavyweight showdown between David Benavidez, 29-0 (24 KOs), and David Morrell, 11-0 (9 KOs), is one that has boxing fans salivating – as two undefeated boogeymen collide, with the victor moving on to a lucrative world title shot. Yet, whilst many predict a closely fought, competitive battle, the industry picks tell a completely different story.
A former WBC super-middleweight champion, Benavidez had been in hot pursuit of Canelo Alvarez during recent years, and the relentless pressure he displayed in impressive victories over Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade during 2023 had many viewers convinced that he could be the man to end the Mexican’s reign in the division.
Although, despite being the WBC mandatory challenger for over two years, the fight with Canelo was consistently knocked back by the champion until Benavidez decided to move on and campaign as a light-heavyweight, defeating Oleksandr Gvozdyk by unanimous decision for the WBC interim title upon his debut at the weight.
Meanwhile, southpaw Morrell turned professional in 2019 but has fought just twice a year since, still managing to manoeuvre himself into a similar position as Benavidez during that time, but equally never getting his shot at Canelo.
The Cuban held the WBA (Regular) super-middleweight crown after just four professional bouts and would defend that title on six occasions without being rewarded with the opportunity to face Canelo before moving up to light-heavyweight himself.
On his debut at 175lbs, Morrell outpointed Radivoje Kalajdzic in a less convincing victory, winning the WBA (Regular) light-heavyweight strap to leave himself well poised for an eventual crack at full world honours.
Now, in a unique interim title unification bout of sorts, the winner of Benavidez-Morrell has been promised a clash with the triumphant rematch between Artur Beterbiev, 21-0 (20 KOs), and Dmitry Bivol, 23-1 (12 KOs) – for the assumed unified light-heavyweight throne.
With long-awaited title challenges on the line, as well as undefeated records, fans are expectant of a nip and tuck fight of the year contender come Saturday night.
However, those with experience in the division, or against the fighters involved, showed overwhelming support for David Benavidez, as 11 of 12 in the industry sided with ‘The Mexican Monster’ when quizzed on their picks by Boxing News:
Liam Cameron (British light-heavyweight, former Commonwealth champion) – “I’ve never watched Morrell so it’s hard for me to predict, but Benavidez will take some beating.”
Oleksandr Gvozdyk (former WBC light-heavyweight champion, previous opponent of Benavidez) – “My pick is Benavidez by stoppage. Morrell is very good, but I think Benavidez will be a very hard puzzle to solve. He has hand speed, relentless pressure and actually pretty good defence.
“Some people wouldn’t agree with the last one, but I’ve noticed that Benavidez takes punches when he doesn’t respect your power. When he feels that you can hurt him, all of a sudden, he is not so easy to hit.”
Kalvin Henderson (previous opponent of David Morrell) – “I got Benavidez by unanimous decision or late stoppage, round 10 or 11. Morrell’s gas tank comes into question when he’s in longer fights, especially when someone like Benavidez is providing unrelenting pressure! Morrell has more skills than Benavidez but I think that Benavidez’s will to win will be the deciding factor.”
Sena Agbeko (previous opponent of David Morrell) – “It’s a high stakes match and I imagine both guys will be plenty ready for it but I predict a late stoppage for Benavidez. I just think that he has too much experience and has fought on the big stage more often. I can’t wait to see it!”
Buddy McGirt [trainer of Callum Smith] – “Benavidez on points, he has faced the better opposition.”
Joe Gallagher [former trainer of Callum Smith] – “David Morrell is a very good fighter, and he has been around a very long time, he has not had many fights but he has come through well. Good Cuban, good puncher, as is Benavidez. It’s a good test for Benavidez. I just think that Benavidez’s speed and the experience of handling the occasion will give him the upper hand in that fight.”
Shane McGuigan [trainer of Craig Richards] – “I am a massive fan of Morrell, I think that he is brilliant. What is his acid test? He has stepped up very, very quickly but Benavidez is someone who fights at pace, throws combinations, he is in your face, he can take a shot, he can dig – that slick Cuban style, he is going to suffocate that – he is going to suffocate him.
“He will get pinged about for a few rounds, but I think that he will prevail and get to him. I’m excited about it, but I think there may be a bit more dog in Benavidez.”
Montell Griffin (former WBC light-heavyweight champion) – “Benavidez. I don’t think that Morrell has enough experience, we are going to see though!”
Saad Fathi Saad (rated WBA #15) – “I expect Benavidez to win in the fourth round. He is fast and has strong hands.”
Callum Smith (former super-middleweight world champion, challenging for WBO interim light-heavyweight title next month) – “Really good fight. Should be an interesting clash of styles. Hard to pick against Benavidez though, I think his work rate will get him a points decision.”
Conor Wallace (rated IBF #2, WBC #5, WBO #6) – “I think it’s going to be a great fight, both are undefeated and there is a lot of animosity between the two. Benavidez wins for me, by points or late stoppage. I feel like he has more hand speed and power, as well a lot more experience in the pros, where he has proven himself against a lot better opposition.”
That being said, there was one fighter who favoured the less-experienced Morrell, as IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert, who is anticipated to take on Conor Wallace for a reportedly soon-to-be vacant IBF light-heavyweight title, predicted a knockout victory for the Cuban.
Michael Eifert (IBF light-heavyweight mandatory challenger) – “I think Morrell by stoppage. The fight is very evenly matched, but I think that Morrell has more accuracy and efficiency with his punches.”
Benavidez-Morrell will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, February, with Brandon Figueroa, 25-1-1 (19 KOs), and Stephen Fulton, 22-1 (8 KOs), going toe-to-toe in a rematch for the WBC featherweight marble in the highlight of the undercard.
