David Benavidez vs. David Morrell in 52 days on February 1st will be the final WBC light heavyweight eliminator to decide a must-win rematch on February 22nd between undisputed 175-pound champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
A ton of money is on the line for the winner of Benavides-Morel. Whoever emerges victorious will battle the winner of Beterbiev-Bivol for the big spot, possibly in Riyadh, and make a fortune against one of them. For ‘Mexican Monster’ Benavidez, it’s the payday he’s been chasing his entire career with a ruthless fight against Canelo Alvarez.
VBC Mandatory Position
Morell’s WBA 175-pound ‘regular’ title and Benavides’ WBC interim belt will be on the line for their February 1 clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Their event will be shown on PBC Prime Video PPV.
Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) could upset the apple by defeating Benavidez, who has boasted a lot about himself during his 11-year pro career, fighting in a division below his massive heavyweight frame and competing against smaller , less opposition throughout. His resume is littered with older, smaller fighters such as Demetrius Andrade, Roamier Alexis Angulo, David Lemieux and Anthony Dirrell.
If Benavidez is defeated in this fight, fans will realize that he was just a fake hype job all these years and was never the guy they were led to believe. In other words, bully would be a pretty fair description.
More seasoned pro Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) is considered a slight favorite among fans. However, Morrell is slightly younger, faster, a stronger puncher and a better technical fighter. He also has superior stamina to Benavidez, who looked exhausted after six rounds in his debut at 175 last summer on June 15 in his fight against Alexander Gvozdyk in Las Vegas.
Gvozdik, 37, had the better power in that fight and was the one who pushed the fight to the final six rounds. The judges scored it for Benavidez by a wide decision in 12 rounds, but it appears to be a draw. In other words, A-side fighter David was lucky.
Many suspect the ‘Mexican Monster’ isn’t the same guy now that he’s competing at a heavier weight, carrying more weight on his body and facing equal-sized opposition with superior strength.