David vs David: Benavidez vs Morrell Fight Set for February

David “El Monstro” Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. delivered a decent amount of trash talk meeting face-to-face Tuesday at The NOVO at L.A. Live in Los Angeles to promote their fight between unbeaten light heavyweight title holders in the main event on Saturday. February 1 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Benavidez vs Morrell will be carried as a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video.

Undercard fighters were also featured, including WBC Featherweight World Champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr., who will meet in a much-anticipated rematch in the co-main event.

Also appearing were former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, who will face contender Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican attraction; and Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. with former unified champion Jeison Rosario, who fight in the pay-per-view opener.

Shots Fired By Benavidez and Morrell

David Benavidez and David Morrell had a heated faceoff after exchanging trash talk Tuesday. Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

Benavidez of Las Vegas (29-0, 24 KOs) and Morrell, a Cuban living in Minneapolis (11-0, 9 KOs), have spoken for several years about facing each other. With all of the belts unified currently by Artur Beterbiev, this fight advances a leading candidate to take over as the anointed future of the light heavyweight division. There are no world titles on the line, but the fight nevertheless can place the winner as a top pound-for-pound talent.

The pair fired verbal shots at each other, capped off with a heated faceoff, promising to prevail and score a knockout win. English turned to Spanish, and the translator didn’t even try to keep up. If your boxing Spanish was decent, you got the gist of it.

David Benavidez said to David Morrell, “I’m personally going to break his mouth. That’ll give him something to remember me by.” Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

“Here we are again, said Benavidez. “Morrell has been talking about me for a while and disrespecting me. He wanted to make it personal with me, so I’m personally going to break his mouth. That’ll give him something to remember me by.

“He’s never fought anyone like me, and I’m going to show everyone there’s levels to this, said Benevidez, who added he wants full credit for beating Morrell.

“He knows what he said, and that’s exactly what I needed to get me going for this fight. He thinks he’s big and bad, but he’s nothing. I’m gonna show him who’s the best on February 1.

“It’s not time to play anymore. It’s really time to see who the best David is. I want to show everyone where I stand. I want to take over and show everyone I’m the most ferocious fighter out there.”

David Morrell said about David Benavidez, “He has no idea what he’s talking about, but he’s provoking me and now I want to go out there and beat the crap out of him.” Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

Morrell insisted he would knock out Benavidez. “100%. He’s all talk and no bite. He can’t do what he thinks he’s gonna do,” promising he will make the most of the opportunity he’s been waiting for and will be ready.

“Everybody says that Benavidez is the bogeyman and that no one wants to fight him, and I want to face the best. That’s why I went straight for him.

“He has no idea what he’s talking about, but he’s provoking me, and now I want to go out there and beat the crap out of him. I’m here now, and none of that talk matters. This is a huge moment for me. I’m putting everything into this fight on February 1.”

Figueroa vs Fulton: Round 13

Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton are cordial but clear about their goals in the rematch. Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

Figueroa gave Fulton credit for stepping up to the plate for the rematch, this time at 126 pounds. Figueroa lost a majority decision to Fulton in November 2021. “This is the fight that I’ve been waiting for the last three years, and I don’t plan to leave it to the judges this time.

Figueroa of Welasco, Texas (25-1-1, 19 KOs) said he learned a lot from the loss, and it lit a fire in him that still burns.

“This means everything. I get to get my lick back and give fans another exciting show. I’m growing and evolving as a fighter. My fire is burning bigger and bigger,” said Figueroa. He said he’s hungry to make a statement, with the ultimate goal being a fight against Japanese unified champion Naoya Inoue.

Fulton of Philadelphia (22-1, 8 KOs)  said the fight will start at Round 13. “I know how he fights. We’re familiar with each other, and when you are, you know what to expect from your opponent.

“People forget who I am. I can do whatever I want in that ring. I have to remind everyone at this point. Can I knock him out? Yes, because he runs into things,” said Fulton. With a win, Fulton can become a two-division champion and remove some of the sting from losing to Inoue. He suffered a knockdown in his last bout against Carlos Caston in September, winning a split decision.

“I won the fight, so I don’t really care what anyone says about my last fight. I know that I’m gonna be victorious. I’m bigger and stronger, and I’ve learned a lot now. He’s gonna find out,” promised Fulton.

Pitbull Cruz Rebuilds After Loss

Popular Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz needs a strong outing against Angel Fierro after his upset loss to Jose Valenzuela. Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

Cruz of Mexico City (26-3-1, 18 KOs) is coming off a surprising loss to Jose Valenzuela on the Crawford vs. Madrimov undercard in August. He says the fight with Fierro of San Diego via Tijuana (22-2-2. 17 KOs) is everything to him because it’s Mexico vs. Mexico. “Everyone knows what happens when two Mexicans collide. It’s gonna be a war for sure.

“I learn from every fight, so I don’t ever consider a fight a loss. It’s given me the opportunity to look at things from another perspective. I promise that I’m coming back even stronger.”

Ramos vs Rosario Rumble

Jesus Ramos Jr. and Jeison Rosario both need a win in February to keep their boxing goals on track. Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

Ramos Jr. of Casa Grande, Arizona (21-1, 17 KOs) said he’s expecting the best version of former champion Rosario. “He knows his back is against the wall. This fight is going to define his career, and that makes him dangerous. I’m going to prepare for the best Jeison Rosario there could possibly be.

In a common theme Thursday, Ramos promised not to let it go to the judges. “I have to do my job. That’s the way this business goes.”

Rosario of Miami (24-4-2, 18 KOs) battled to a split draw against Jarrett Hurd in his last fight in August. He said his story is not over yet. “This fight is even bigger for me than when I won the world titles against Julian Williams,” said Rosario. “This is going to be a war and a showcase of my best abilities. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity.

“Ramos is a hungry fighter and I took this fight happily because I know it will be exciting. I’ve fixed my mistakes, and I’m ready to show Ramos that there’s nowhere to hide in that ring.”

Benavidez vs Morrell Information

During a slow boxing news week, the Benavidez vs Morrell media event drew plenty of attention. Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

Benavidez vs. Morrell, Figueroa vs Fulton Jr, Cruz vs Fierro, and Ramos Jr. vs. Rosario appear on the Prime Video pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.