WBC interim mild heavyweight champion David Benavidez says he took the battle in opposition to WBA ‘common’ 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 newbie star Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) as a result of he had referred to as him out for a stable two years. He didn’t wish to battle him.
If Benavidez had been preventing A-level fighters throughout these two years, nobody would have doubted his braveness. Nonetheless, he was dealing with 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 preventing him, and he hates it that followers acknowledged his worry.
“The rationale I took this battle is as a result of Morrell has been speaking quite a bit, saying I’m scared. That is my method of proving that it doesn’t matter who it’s; I’m going to get them within the ring in the end. I informed folks that, and we’re right here. February 1st, it’s going to be an enormous battle. I’m excited so as to add that WBA title to my assortment of belts,” stated David Benavidez to Combat Hub TV, speaking about his match in opposition to David Morrell in 2025.
Benavidez took this battle in opposition to 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 mild heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Benavidez and the WBC had been criticized for being given a direct shot at preventing in a 175-lb title eliminator in his first battle at mild heavyweight in opposition to 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 obligatory 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 of the individuals mistaken. All of the individuals suppose he’s going to beat me, proving them mistaken and solidifying myself as essentially the most harmful fighter in my weight class [175] as we speak,” 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 people who don’t bear in mind.
Chavez Jr. is a man who discovered success earlier in his profession when he campaigned at middleweight and would appear to be a lightweight heavyweight after rehydrating. As soon as he may not make 160, his profession fell aside, preventing opposition his personal measurement at 168 and 175. Benavidez is heading in the identical route. We already noticed that in Benavidez’s debut at 175 in opposition to a washed-up 37-year-old Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June fifteenth.
Can Benavidez Deal with Morrell’s Energy?
“He’s a terrific fighter, however I’ve a greater potential to suppose. I’ve extra pace, extra energy, and extra expertise,” stated Benavidez, score himself above Morrell in these areas. “I really feel like that is going to be a terrific battle to showcase my expertise, my expertise and present I’m the baddest man at 175.”
Benavidez is mistaken. He’s not quicker and undoubtedly 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 mild 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 will not be within the high 10 within the energy division.
Largest punchers at 175:
- David Morrell
- Artur Beterbiev
- Joshua Buatsi
- Anthony Yarde
- Callum Smith
- Oleksandr Gvozdyk
- Radivoje Kalajdzic
- Dmitry Bivol
- Jean Pascal
- Dan Azeez
“I wish to be essentially the most dominant champion on this weight class, and the one approach to present that’s by beating different dominant fighters. I felt he acquired uncovered a little bit, however he’s been calling for this battle time and again,” stated Benavidez about Morrell’s final battle in opposition to former world title challenger Radivoje Kalajdzic on August third.
It’s not shocking that Benavidez isn’t prepared 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 in opposition to Kalajdzic than Benavidez did in his debut at 175 in opposition to Oleksandr Gvozdyk, operating out of gasoline 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 in opposition to Kalajdzic.
“I really feel like this battle goes to be my greatest battle as much as this date, however I’m getting higher and higher,” stated Benavidez.
The fact is that Benavidez is NOT getting higher if you happen to decide him by his final efficiency in opposition to Gvozdyk on June fifteenth. He acquired 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 mild heavyweight.
