Fight of the Week: David Benavidez vs. David Morrell

It may not be for a world title, but this Saturday’s clash between David Benavidez and David Morrell, at the 175-pound limit, is set to keep boxing fans glued to their screens and on the edge of their seats. Two undefeated fighters with exciting styles and apparent animosity toward each other—every ingredient for a spectacular night of boxing at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is in place. Furthermore, the winner could soon earn a shot at the four unified world titles that Artur Beterbiev will defend on February 22 in the highly anticipated rematch against Dmitrii Bivol.

David Benavidez: From Youthful Mistakes to a Bold Choice

As a young fighter, David Benavidez made his share of mistakes. Two major errors, in particular, slowed down his career: testing positive for cocaine (admitted to using recreationally) and failing to make weight against Roamer Angulo, which cost him the chance to regain the title he had lost outside the ring. If Benavidez had stayed disciplined and retained the WBC super middleweight title, he might already have faced superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez by now, with all the prestige and earnings that come with such a bout. Instead, Benavidez has had to “chase” his rival from the uncomfortable position of a challenger, being repeatedly overlooked.

Credit, however, must be given to “Bandera Roja” for making a brave and admirable decision: rather than wasting time in the super middleweight division, begging for a title shot, he chose to move up to light heavyweight. After soundly defeating former world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk, he now faces another highly regarded and dangerous opponent.

David Morrell: A Talent Still Shrouded in Mystery

There’s no doubt that David Morrell is a highly talented fighter. His impressive amateur record speaks for itself, and the skills he has displayed during his brief professional career are not those of an average boxer. The Cuban possesses class, power, timing, and technical ability in abundance, but pinpointing his strengths and weaknesses with precision is still challenging.

As a super middleweight, Morrell won all his matches with such ease that it left observers stunned: his opponents looked like children in the presence of an adult, being tossed around the ring before collapsing helplessly. However, his debut in the light heavyweight division played out very differently. Facing a tough and experienced fighter like Serbia’s Radivoje Kalajdzic, Morrell seemed reluctant to let his hands go, resulting in a low-paced fight that he deservedly won but failed to excite.

The reasons behind this tactical approach remain unclear: Was it a lack of peak fitness, fear of his opponent’s power, or simply a desire to keep his cards close to his chest ahead of future big fights?

David Benavidez vs. David Morrell: What Will Happen? Boxe Punch’s Prediction!

This Saturday, it won’t just be a clash between two excellent fighters but also between two diametrically opposed philosophies. While Benavidez completely bypassed the amateur scene, turning pro at just 16 years old after a mere 15 amateur bouts, Morrell built his boxing identity in the amateur ranks, racking up an impressive 135 fights with only 5 losses.

When two undefeated fighters step into the ring, the variables are always plentiful, as neither has faced the kind of opponent who could fully expose their flaws, leaving room for surprises. Based on what we’ve seen from both men so far, however, the key factor in determining the dynamics of this fight will likely be “pace.”

In low-intensity rounds, characterized by cautious exchanges, pauses, and minimal action, David Morrell should have the upper hand. Benavidez has repeatedly shown stiffness in both his footwork and upper-body movement—weaknesses Morrell could exploit if given the time and space to do so.

It’s no coincidence that Caleb Plant, using his jab and footwork, managed to control Bandera Roja quite well during the first five rounds of their fight before the increasing pace turned his night into a nightmare. With his southpaw stance, variety of punches, and ability to change attack angles, Morrell could prove just as tricky—potentially even more so given his seemingly greater power compared to “Sweethands.”

On the other hand, when Benavidez unleashes his relentless pressure and activates his famous two-handed combinations, keeping him at bay becomes an almost impossible task. The sense here is that Morrell could struggle significantly against such suffocating pressure, the likes of which he’s never encountered before.

Morrell’s fight against Kalajdzic reinforces this idea. His extreme caution in stepping on the gas against an opponent he couldn’t take out quickly suggests he’s not particularly fond of being dragged into a no-holds-barred war.

The fighter who can pull their opponent into their preferred type of fight for longer stretches of the bout will likely have the edge at the T-Mobile Arena. In this regard, David Benavidez’s greater experience in overcoming adversity could be a decisive factor.

Since turning professional, Bandera Roja has had to recover from a knockdown (against Gavril), come from behind on the scorecards (against Plant), and finish a fight despite dealing with a cut and a hand injury (against Gvozdyk). These challenges typically harden a fighter and make them more resilient in career-defining moments.

Morrell, by contrast, has cruised through the professional ranks after leaving the protected world of amateur boxing, never needing to grit his teeth. It’s unclear how he’ll react if things take a turn for the worse and he’s forced to mount a strong mental comeback in a difficult situation.

Another potential key factor could be Benavidez’s lead right hand. Quick and unpredictable, it proved to be a nightmare for Demetrius Andrade—also a southpaw like Morrell—and could expose gaps in the Cuban’s defensive game, despite his usual ability to anticipate his opponents’ intentions.

Based on the arguments above, I foresee a fight marked by alternating phases and shifts in momentum. Ultimately, Benavidez’s determination, combined with the lessons he’s learned in his toughest professional fights, should carry him to victory. My prediction: a unanimous decision win for David Benavidez, with a margin of about four points on the scorecards.

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