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Of Men and Monsters: Bold Prediction for Benavidez vs Morrell Jr.
David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. are set to do battle this Saturday for Premier Boxing Champions on Prime Video, 8 p.m. ET. It will be an early entrant for the fight of the year.
The winner will become the top contender at super middleweight, putting himself in prime position for a shot at the winner of the February 22 rematch between Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol for the unified, undisputed light heavyweight championship of the world. The stakes couldn’t be higher. For this fight, belts don’t matter.
Order the fight card at PPV.com or Prime Video. Undercard fights get underway at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT.
Pros and Cons For Benavidez and Morrell Jr.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) and Morrell Jr. (11-0, 9 KOs) are both undefeated. Both bring strong skill sets to the battle. Morrell Jr. is a Cuban southpaw with a decorated amateur background, while Benavidez is a powerful puncher with a come-forward style.
Morrell Jr. brings an outstanding amateur background in the rich Cuban boxing tradition. He boasts the defensive prowess, exceptional footwork, and sharp counterpunching in the mold of his noted countrymen Felix Savon and the legend Teofilo Stevenson.
Where Morrell Jr distinguishes himself from the Cuban style is his knockout power, ending nine of his 11 fights inside the distance, a trait not always associated with Cuban boxers. The determination of Morrell Jr. to make repeated attempts to leave Cuba and come to the United States leaves him fearing nothing. He will need to be fearless as he takes on the hard-charging Benavidez.
Benavidez is the ultimate pressure fighter, known for his aggressive combination punching. While his size (6’2″ with a 74.5-inch reach) is a clear advantage, his fundamentals are not the strongest.
What sets him apart, though, is his ferocious mentality. He truly embodies the Mexican Style and earned his newer nickname bestowed on him by Mike Tyson, “The Mexican Monster.”
In addition to his physical attributes, Benavidez has an old-school, intense energy and an unwavering will to pummel his opponents into submission. Benavidez transforms into a force of nature driven by a relentless desire to punish his foe with his skill and thudding punching power.
How Does The Fight Play Out?
Some boxing experts and oddsmakers believe the fight will be close and competitive. Others believe Benavidez will be too strong for Morrell Jr. Ultimately, the outcome of the fight will depend on who can impose their style on the other.
Morrell Jr.’s southpaw stance and reach could keep Benavidez outside and frustrated.
Benavidez’s power and pressure could make it a quick night for Morrell Jr.
Bold Prediction: Morrell Jr. Wins
No more stalling. If this fight was at super middleweight, I would go with Benavidez. At light heavyweight, my pick is Morrell Jr. He pulls the upset with a close points decision.
Keep in mind I have missed my last three predictions, so I am either due or really bad at this.
When I consulted with my friend and boxing trainer John Scully, he wanted me to point out this is NOT for the Light Heavyweight Championship. It is for two alphabet titles. The legitimate and unified, undisputed light heavyweight champion is Artur Beterbiev. But does it matter to fight fans? Not one bit.
