WBC interim gentle heavyweight champion David Benavidez says he took the battle towards WBA ‘regular’ champ David Morrell Jr. as a result of he needed to indicate followers that he’s not “scared” of him for his or her 12-round headliner on February 1st.
It was fairly apparent that Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) was hesitant to battle the previous Cuban novice star Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) as a result of he had known as him out for a strong two years. He didn’t wish to battle him.
If Benavidez had been combating A-level fighters throughout these two years, nobody would have doubted his braveness. Nonetheless, he was going through creampuffs like David Lemieux, Kyrone David, Caleb Plant, and Demetrius Andrade.
A Combat Born from Worry
Benavidez selecting to battle them as a substitute of Morrell made it apparent that he was afraid of the Cuban fighter. That’s why he’s so upset now as a result of he is aware of himself that he didn’t need any a part of combating him, and he hates it that followers acknowledged his worry.
“The reason I took this fight is because Morrell has been talking a lot, saying I’m scared. This is my way of proving that it doesn’t matter who it is; I’m going to get them in the ring sooner or later. I told people that, and we’re here. February 1st, it’s going to be a big fight. I’m excited to add that WBA title to my collection of belts,” mentioned David Benavidez to Combat Hub TV, speaking about his match towards David Morrell in 2025.
Benavidez took this battle towards Morrell as a result of it was the largest payday he may get and since he wanted to place himself ready to battle the winner of the rematch between undisputed gentle heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Benavidez and the WBC had been criticized for being given a right away shot at combating in a 175-lb title eliminator in his first battle at gentle heavyweight towards Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June fifteenth.
Many followers felt that Benavidez ought to have needed to earn a compulsory spot by beating related high contenders like Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde, and Willy Hutchinson earlier than being put in because the WBC 175-lb necessary for champion Artur Beterbiev’s title. Taking the Morrell battle will give Benavidez an opportunity to indicate that he charges a world title battle.
“Proving all the people wrong. All the people think he’s going to beat me, proving them wrong and solidifying myself as the most dangerous fighter in my weight class [175] today,” Benavidez continued.
This battle is more likely to finish badly for Benavidez, exhibiting the followers that his previous success at 168 was as a result of him utilizing weight manipulation to compete in a division nicely beneath his measurement. He was a modern-day Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. For those who don’t keep in mind.
Chavez Jr. is a man who discovered success earlier in his profession when he campaigned at middleweight and would seem like a light-weight heavyweight after rehydrating. As soon as he may now not make 160, his profession fell aside, combating opposition his personal measurement at 168 and 175. Benavidez is heading in the identical course. We already noticed that in Benavidez’s debut at 175 towards a washed-up 37-year-old Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June fifteenth.
Can Benavidez Deal with Morrell’s Energy?
“He’s a great fighter, but I have a better ability to think. I have more speed, more power, and more experience,” mentioned Benavidez, ranking himself above Morrell in these areas. “I feel like this is going to be a great fight to showcase my talent, my skills and show I’m the baddest man at 175.”
Benavidez is improper. He’s not sooner and positively NOT extra highly effective than Morrell. There’s an enormous distinction between them in each of these areas. Morrell has superior hand pace than Benavidez and possesses one-punch energy.
Even undisputed gentle heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev doesn’t have the identical punching energy as Morrell. The Cuban is the #1 energy puncher within the 175-lb division. Benavidez shouldn’t be within the high 10 within the energy division.
Greatest punchers at 175:
David Morrell
Artur Beterbiev
Joshua Buatsi
Anthony Yarde
Callum Smith
Oleksandr Gvozdyk
Radivoje Kalajdzic
Dmitry Bivol
Jean Pascal
Dan Azeez
“I want to be the most dominant champion in this weight class, and the only way to show that is by beating other dominant fighters. I felt he got exposed a little, but he’s been calling for this fight over and over again,” mentioned Benavidez about Morrell’s final battle towards former world title challenger Radivoje Kalajdzic on August third.
It’s not stunning that Benavidez isn’t keen to reward Morrell for his win over Kalajdzic as a result of he would admit that his opponent outperformed him in comparison with his very poor debut at 175.
Morrell appeared much better towards Kalajdzic than Benavidez did in his debut at 175 towards Oleksandr Gvozdyk, operating out of fuel after six rounds and taking huge punishment within the self half of the battle. Many followers felt that the battle ought to have been a draw as a result of Gvozdyk had dominated the final six rounds. In Morrell’s case, he appeared to win all 12 rounds towards Kalajdzic.
“I feel like this fight is going to be my best fight up to this date, but I’m getting better and better,” mentioned Benavidez.
The truth is that Benavidez is NOT getting higher should you decide him by his final efficiency towards Gvozdyk on June fifteenth. He obtained uncovered in that battle to be a weight bully, who, as soon as he lastly fought somebody his measurement, was a mean fighter, no higher than any of the highest 15 contenders at gentle heavyweight.
