David Benavidez and David Morrell will meet Saturday (Premier Boxing Champions PPV on Prime Video, 8 p.m. ET), in what could be a fight of the year, with the winner taking a giant step forward toward a shot at the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 winner.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) is a relentless pressure fighter who throws punches in combinations, but he has questionable footwork, often squaring up and relying on his size — 6-foot-2 with a 74.5-inch reach. However, his physical attributes alone didn’t earn him the moniker “The Mexican Monster.” It was his mentality, intense energy and a throwback fighter’s mindset. Benavidez has become a dominating figure in the sport. While carrying a soft demeanor with media and fans, in the ring he shows an obsession to punish his opponents through his skill and, more importantly, his will.
Morrell is a highly skilled southpaw deeply rooted in a rich Cuban boxing pedigree. While Cuban boxers often specialize in defense, exceptional footwork, strategic positioning and sharp counterpunching, Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) stands out with the ability to deliver devastating knockout power. What truly sets Morrell apart is his astonishing 78-inch wingspan, comparable to that of a heavyweight. His hand speed gives him a sniper-like advantage at long range, allowing him to operate from a safe distance. His journey, highlighted by a defection from Cuba, reflects his character, symbolizing a risk-taker who is unafraid to smile in the face of fear.
Let’s delve into the intricacies of this very competitive matchup.
The matchup
Benavidez’s boxing smarts are often overlooked. He has defeated some highly rated and savvy fighters, particularly in the 168-pound division, such as Caleb Plant and slick southpaw former two-division champion Demetrius Andrade.
Unlike many prizefighters, who develop their skills and gain experience by competing in the amateur ranks, Benavidez cultivated his boxing knowledge untraditionally. He had only 15 amateur matches, winning all of them. Benavidez earned his stripes traveling from gym to gym, sparring with world champions and anyone willing to step into the ring with him. This sharpened his ability to endure intense competition and helped him gain invaluable experience. It’s noteworthy that Benavidez became the youngest super middleweight champion in history when he won the WBC title at just 20 years old. His remarkable feat aligns him with Mike Tyson, who became the youngest heavyweight champion ever at the same age.
Morrell, a 6-foot-1 southpaw, is competing for the second time at 175 pounds. The division is currently dominated by Beterbiev, the undisputed light heavyweight champion, who is preparing for a rematch with Bivol on Feb. 22. Morrell started his boxing voyage at the age of 7, winning numerous amateur titles, including a gold medal in the light heavyweight category at the 2016 Youth World Championships. He concluded his amateur career with 130 wins and five losses.
Benavidez’s pace and punch variation make him hard to beat
Everything starts with Benavidez’s frantic pace. He wisely advances, constantly gauging his opponent’s response to his laser-like jab, rarely letting his opponent find time to rest. His ability to accelerate or decelerate his offensive combinations is impressive, shifting effortlessly from single shots to blazing 10-piece flurries.
Benavidez has diverse punch variations. He mixes uppercuts, body shots, right crosses and leaping left hooks. He often squares his feet in the center of the ring or near the ropes, a tactic that can have both pros and cons. It can help with closing off escape routes but also can expose his body. While squaring up sometimes invites incoming punches, his tight high guard blocks many shots. Defensively, when his back is pressed along the ropes, Benavidez implements a strategy reminiscent of Muhammad Ali’s rope-a-dope against George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle: a high guard while his opponents unleash punches and exhaust themselves.
In his debut at 175 pounds in June, Benavidez started strongly but became noticeably exhausted by the sixth round. Although he won the fight against former WBC champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk, his performance fell short of excitement. Benavidez attributed his lackluster showing to a lack of preparation due to hand injuries he sustained during training. However, even if that explanation holds true, the punching power he once displayed at 168 didn’t seem to have the same impact on Gvozdyk, suggesting that Benavidez’s power may not translate effectively in this new weight class. If that version of Benavidez — early exhaustion combined with limited punching power — shows up against Morrell, a loss may be in the balance.
Watch out for Morrell’s counterpunching — and his right hook
Morrell’s explosive boxing style emphasizes punch placement and accuracy. He sets up his offense using subtle level changes and a solid, precise right jab, occasionally incorporating probes to disguise his attacks. As a prolific counterpuncher, he exhibits impressive punching power, particularly with his left cross and lead right hook. He thrives when facing stationary targets, whether they’re flat-footed fighters standing in front of him or ones stuck along the ropes. Most of his knockouts occur against opponents who are near or against the ropes.
Morrell has a tendency to remain calm, allowing him to react seamlessly to the evolving environment of the ring. Relying on his experience, he anticipates incoming punches, moves his head to evade punches and responds with combinations. His offense is well-rounded across all ranges; he possesses an effective outside, mid and inside game and can shorten his punches despite his long reach. He commits to bodywork with both hands and can penetrate even the tightest defenses with his power.
Consistency is key for Morrell
In his last fight, a unanimous decision win against Radivoje Kalajdzic in August, Morrell’s performance was somewhat underwhelming. Although Morrell started strongly, he struggled with consistency, forcing too much offense and misjudging his range against the moving target. A simple Kalajdzic stepback out of range disrupted Morrell’s approach, reducing his effectiveness. He showed slight difficulty adjusting, often defaulting to a high-guard strategy that left him vulnerable to being countered. Fortunately for him, he won’t have to worry about that with Benavidez, who will likely come forward. I’ve seen Benavidez in the gym boxing off his back foot over the years, but I doubt he chooses that approach against Morrell.
How the fight could play out
This will be a battle for control of the center of the ring. It will be interesting to see how Benavidez and Morrell, with their aggressive approaches, seek dominance over the other.
Morrell will stand out early on as the more technically sound fighter, confident in his one-punch power. His clinical style will be more visually appealing at the onset. He will stand his ground effectively, delivering sharp combinations complemented by level changes and well-placed bodywork with his left hand, forcing Benavidez back. Part of Morrell’s strategy may be to force Benavidez to reset his feet, as he typically attempts to advance. Morrell may find it relatively easy to land punches on Benavidez initially, but I can see him having issues late if he isn’t consistent.
Benavidez may have to come from behind to secure victory, as history has shown a distinct pattern when he faces superior boxers. Benavidez usually starts putting extra pressure — in what I describe as an avalanche effect — in the second half of the fight, a pattern I’ve seen in every bout. Benavidez’s relentless pressure and high punch output will likely erode Morrell’s technical form and confidence as the fight progresses.
Benavidez can detect even the slightest signs of weakness in his opponent, whether it’s a deep inhale or a moment of hesitation. I anticipate the fight will heat up in the second half, particularly if Benavidez remains unscathed early on and avoids being knocked down. Benavidez’s consistency in closing the distance and exploiting any openings during Morrell’s retreats could prove to be the difference.
Who wins?
This is a 50-50 matchup because the timing and sharp counterpunching of Morrell can overtake Benavidez’s punch volume. However, Morrell’s counterpunching can be overwhelmed by pressure and punch volume, leaving him limited time and space for counters and forcing him to defend more than attack. If Morrell can withstand the pace set by Benavidez and take advantage of his fundamental flaws — overreaching, languishing along the ropes, poor footwork — and can capitalize on the exposure around Benavidez’s high guard, he could win. But If Benavidez can use stepbacks, right crosses and hooks against the southpaw, and more importantly, if he can take Morrell’s power through six rounds — breaking Morrell’s will with his relentless pressure — he could probably stop Morrell.
I will take Benavidez by split decision.
Ian Parker’s best bet
Benavidez vs. Morrell should be a fun fight from beginning to end. Morrell has the kind of power that can hurt anyone at any time. The question is, can he hurt Benavidez early and then keep that going throughout the course of the fight? My answer is no. Benavidez has a world-class chin and he is more than willing to take one to give one, as we have seen. Once he gets past the earlier rounds, Benavidez will pick up the pace and use his speed and combinations to wear Morrell down and get the win.
Prediction: Benavidez to win.