David Morrell and David Benavidez will hold a media training session this Tuesday, December 17th to discuss their light heavyweight title fight. The fight will take place in 47 days, on February 1, 2025 at the PBC Prime Video PPV from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Avoiding Morrell?
WBA 175 lb ‘regular’ champion Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs_and WBC Interim Champion Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs)) will discuss their bout with the media. Morrell recently revealed that Benavidez had nothing to say to him during their on-off meeting and was a different person, keeping his mouth shut.
Morel noticed Benavidez begin to open his sack to talk mess after he was out of sight, seeing that the coast was clear. He feels he is showing the true colors of the Mexican monster. In other words, he talks big when he is not in front of him, but when he is in his presence, he is gentle as a lamb.
A thin-skinned monster
Benavidez has seemed angry since the fight with Cuban Morel was announced, and it’s clear that he is oversensitive according to the belief of many boxing fans, he avoided this fight for more than two years.
When Benavides, 27, speaks, he sounds thin-skinned and sensitive because he has no desire to face the talented Cuban. It’s okay. Benavidez is afraid of Morel as many fighters are. If he loses this fight, he can forget about his dreams of a mega-payday facing the winner of the Feb. 22 clash between unbeaten light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
This is by far the most talented fighter Benavidez has faced in his 11-year pro career, and it comes at a time when he can least afford to lose. There is a big fight for him if he beats Morrell. If Benavidez is defeated on February 1, he can forget about it, and it may take years for him to get back to where he was.
‘Mexican Monster’ Benavidez likes to portray himself as fearless, but the fact that he didn’t want to fight Morel showed a different color. He has fear, and some believe he only fought because Morrell looked like the man against the veteran for the first time in his career. Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-3, 21 KO) on August 3.
Morrell still won the fight by a one-sided decision over 12 rounds, showing more power than undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev or any of the top fighters at 175. The shots Morrell landed on Kalajdzic during that fight would have knocked out anyone in the division and he could have finished him off him bombed after wounding him three times in battle.
Benavides’ flaws
As we saw in his debut at 175 against fading former WBC champion Alexander Gvozdyk, Benavidez lacks power for this division. His shots looked weak compared to Gvozdik’s and looked out of place. Benavidez was beaten in that fight, which many fans believe should have gone to a draw. However, his lack of upper body strength is a real problem.
David’s upper body is like the arms of an extinct T-Rex dinosaur — they’re like tragic traits. He doesn’t have light heavyweight power. If Benavidez hits the gym, he might be able to develop some strength, but not in time for the Morel matchup. It’s too late for that.
Time and location of the media exercise
BOXER Gym
1310 NE 1st Ave
Miami, FL 33132
when:
Tuesday, December 17
11:30 a.m. ET – Media arrival
12:00 PM ET – Morrell practice
12:30 PM ET – Moderator Q&A and fighter face off
1:00 PM ET – Benavidez practice