Lonnie Thompson says David Benavidez has a tricky struggle on his fingers towards WBA ‘common’ mild heavyweight champion David Morrell on February 1st. Thompson sees Benavidez having a tricky time with the previous Cuban beginner expertise, Morrell, however he’s not sure who wins.
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Morrell’s energy and technical expertise give him an enormous benefit over Benavidez, who can’t punch and rely on his measurement, quantity, and aggressiveness to win.
Benavidez’s Kryptonite
Benavidez’s higher physique is sort of a withered, emaciated vestigial function, nearly just like the ineffective arms of a T-Rex dinosaur. He has no power or measurement in his higher physique and is determined by quantity to win his fights. It’s going to be troublesome for Benavidez to win with quantity towards Morrell as a result of he’s a lot stronger along with his energy and upper-body power.
The way in which he breaks issues down, Morrell might win primarily based on his pace, energy, measurement, technical expertise, and athleticism. Morrell has benefits in each class besides expertise within the professional recreation. Nonetheless, he has extra time within the amateurs, combating higher opposition than the restricted fighters that Benavidez has fought within the execs.
Thompson feels that Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) goes to have to fret about what’s coming again at him from the Cuban Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) as a result of he’s simply as huge however is an even bigger puncher, slick and has good ft.
Benavidez owes a lot of his success to combating under his pure weight class, draining from mild heavyweight to compete at 168. If Benavidez had moved as much as 175 earlier, his profession seemingly would have by no means gotten this far, and he’d be one of many pack, no higher off than any of the opposite contenders.
Benavidez isn’t the identical fighter as a lightweight heavyweight, as he was at 168. He’s like Superman within the presence of Kryptonite, and he’s misplaced his energy.
Thompson says that made Benavidez look good. He didn’t look practically nearly as good when he lastly moved as much as 175 in his final struggle, and struggled towards 37-year-old Oleksandr Gvozdhyk on June fifteenth.
“It’s a tricky struggle. David Morrell is actually, actually good. I don’t [know who is going to win the fight], as a result of David Morrell is huge too. He’s huge for tremendous middleweight,” mentioned Lonnie Thompson to Fighthype, speaking concerning the David Benavidez vs. David Morrell struggle on February 1st.
They’re each at 175 now, set to satisfy on February 1st on the T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas. Benavidez could have his WBC interim 175-lb title at stake, and Morrell shall be placing his WBA ‘common’ belt in danger. Their occasion shall be proven stay on PBC on Prime Video PPV.
Morrell’s Cuban Boxing Model
“He’s huge, he can punch, and he’s slick. He’s acquired that Cuban model that’s actual slick and offensive with it,” mentioned Thompson about Morrell. “These kinds are powerful for anyone to struggle, even the Mexican Monster,’ particularly with the model David has acquired.”
The dimensions and cautious matchmaking allowed Benavidez to dominate for the final 11 years at 168. He didn’t struggle cutting-edge competitors all these years aside from Caleb Plant if you wish to name him ‘cutting-edge.’ He’s not.
“David isn’t actually slick. He simply makes use of his measurement to put on guys down. He walks them down. He’s so huge, and also you’re hitting him, however you possibly can’t get him good as a result of he’s so huge,” mentioned Thompson about Benavidez. “With David Morrell, he would actually have to fret about some warmth being thrown again at him.”
With out Benavidez’s measurement benefit in his final struggle towards Oleksandr Gvozdyk at 175, he appeared like a below-average fighter and was fortunate to win. Benavidez’s love-sick followers thought it was a dominant efficiency, however they noticed him by means of rose-colored glasses, viewing him unrealistically. He didn’t dominate Gvozdyk.
Certainly, he caved within the second half and misplaced six consecutive rounds in actual phrases. The judges gave Benavidez the choice, however that was a draw. He acquired the A-side therapy from the judges, however they’ll’t save him this time towards Morrell.
Footwork and Punching Energy
“David Morrell has actually good ft. So, I feel that will give David some hassle, and he can punch,” mentioned Thompson.
“If you’re guys too small for you, you’re imagined to appear to be that,” mentioned Thompson about how Benavidez dominated when combating at tremendous middleweight. “He ought to appear to be that towards guys too small for him.”
