Benavidez makes statement against Morrell

By David Finger at ringside

Undefeated David Benavidez, 174.2, made a strong argument that he belongs in the pound for pound list as he scored a tough, unanimous decision over undefeated Cuban WBA “regular” light heavyweight champion David Morrell, 174.2. Benavidez and Morrell had genuine heat during the build up of the fight, with Morrell saying “The Mexican Monster” was a “fraud” and Benavidez promising to beat the f—k out of Morrell on fight night. And the bad blood was evident as the fight kicked off.

But although both fighters were seen as exceptional, questions remained. Was Benavidez able to compete in the light heavyweight division, particularly after his mixed performance in his last fight? Did Morrell have the experience after only eleven pro fights to mix it up with one of the top fighters in the sport?

Well, we got an answer to both questions in Las Vegas.

After spending the last few years flirting with the pound for pound list, Benavidez clearly established himself as one of the best fighters in the sport and it is hard to see how he doesn’t end up on everyone’s P4P

List after this. And perhaps more importantly, he established himself as a legitimate and elite light heavyweight.

Morrell on the other hand showed flashes of brilliance. But if there was one takeaway for fans of the Cuban boxer after Benavidez defeated him it was this:

Experience matters.

Morrel boxed well, in flashes. He landed some beautiful shots on Benavidez. At times. He opened up a cut on Benavidez early in the fight. But Benavidez always seemed to control the tempo and the pace of the fight and always seemed to have an answer to everything that Morrell threw at him. Morrell would sometimes try and counter Benavidez’s pressure and constant aggression with movement and a solid jab. But more often than not he would just stand in front of Benavidez and let him throw some shots and wait for his chance to respond.

It was a rookie mistake that Benavidez was able to take advantage of. At one point Benavidez used his glove to reposition a stationary Morrell’s guard to land a right hand.

And perhaps most importantly, Benavidez was simply more accurate with his punches. Morrell threw 48 more punches over twelve rounds but Benavidez landed 59 more punches than his Cuban opponent.

But if there was one telling mistake that was undoubtedly a game changer it was the fact that Morrell simply never went to the body.

Ever.

The lack of a body attack proved to be a major issue for the Cuban as he tried to close the gap in the later rounds and had some success in the process. Morrell scored a knockdown in round eleven, and although it was more of a flash knockdown than a sign that Benavidez was seriously hurt, it may have paid considerably more dividends had Morrell put in the early investment to the body in the early rounds.

And when Benavidez tried to flurry to close out round eleven and thee punched as the bell sounded ending the round, Morrell made a bone-headed rookie mistake in trying to get the last punch in, well after the bell and well after both fighters were instructed to stop punching. The infraction led to a one point deduction and although the point wouldn’t matter on the scorecards, it absolutely killed all the momentum Morrell had going into the final round. All three judges had the eleventh scored 10-8, and with the decision not an absolute certainty (although most ringsiders felt Benavidez was ahead, it would have hardly been by such a margin with a 10-8 round against him in the eleventh to assume he could just coast in round 12) Morrell may have forced Benavidez into a risky brawl to close out the fight.

But Benavidez easily recovered from the knockdown and was able to close out the fight in strong fashion, cementing the final round on two of the three judges scorecards. In the end the decision was unanimous, with two judges scoring the fight 115-111 and one judge having the fight scored 118-108.

With the win Benavidez captured Morrell’s WBA “regular” belt as well as retained his WBC interim light heavyweight belt. Benavidez now sees his record improve to 30-0, 24 KOs while Morrell sees his record fall to 11-1, 9 KOs.

Asked at the post fight press conference what was next he initially expressed openness to a rematch with Morrell, but when told of the scores he dismissed the idea noting that the margin of the scores indicated that the fight was not a good candidate for a rematch. He did mention his continued interest in a Canelo Alvarez fight and also confirmed that he was invited to go to Saudi Arabia in two weeks for the Beterbiev-Bivol rematch. But Benavidez was non-committal as to his next plan.

“Right now I just want to take a break,” noting how hard he worked to prepare for this fight.

Walk out bout result:

In the walk out bout undefeated Kaipo Gallegos from Las Vegas won a six Roy d unanimous decision over Venezuelan Leonardo Padilla. It was a tough fight for Gallegos, although he was pretty much in control for the entire fight the Venezuelan had no shortage of veteran tricks to throw at Gallegos. The 18-year old prospect nonetheless made a statement against a seasoned veteran with over 31 professional fights. With the win Gallegos improved to 8-0-1, 6 KOs while Padilla sees his record now stand at 24-7-1, 17 KOs.

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  • Really enjoyed this fight but David B just has so much output. Really hope Bivol wins his rematch so that the David B vs Bivol is next. Both with high output but I think Bivol wins.

        • No Benavidez has not beaten top quality opponents and for you to say that shows exactly how much you really know boxing. Benavidez beat David Lemieux, a trash fighter in Demetrius Andrade. Yes the man is trash people have been saying that for years. Caleb Plant a good fighter that has recently been beaten by Canelo, a old over the hill formerly retired Gvozdyk and now he wants to say he’s a top pound for pound fighter because he beat a man with only 11 Pro fights that prior hasn’t beaten a real quality opponent. You could tell the inexperience was there in their fight. That resume is not impressive by any means. Until he fights and beat Beterbieve, Bivol or a Canelo the man is just all talk. I don’t think he can beat any one of them. If Morrell can stun him multiple times Beterbieve is putting him to sleep and Bivol is going to win a UD. Benavidez was not impressive at all.

          • You read my mind. I was about to say something like that. Benavidez is all talk and pushing people’s number to get a great pay day. That’s all there is to it.

          • I’ll go away and work on my boxing knowledge and hopefully, my views will align with yours in the future!!! Or maybe you are upset because you predicted a Morrell victory.

          • U dont watch boxing properly…this is a brutal sport these wins arent easy…u sound like a woman trapped in a mans body not understanding what it is shes watching.

          • I’ve been a boxing fan too long to allow this kind of disrespect for Andrade. You DO know that Andrade was an amateur standout, right? Also, Andrade was an undefeated 2 division champ when he faced benavidez. Calling Andrade “trash’ shows you know nothing about boxing. Who cares what people have been saying for years? Use your OWN head. Andrade got ducked by Canelo, GGG, Saunders, even GGG. So, at the age of 35, after being unable to land a big fight, and only one fight at 168, he steps in with Benavidez, a much younger guy who probably outweighed Andrade by 50 lbs. The only possible knock on Andrade was that he was too damn good for his own good, but he wasn’t “entertaining” enough for some people.

          • True statement. I would never call Andrade, a trash fighter. He is an excellent fighter that just got ducked a lot.

          • Wow! Don’t normally comment but, very well said. Refreshing in the YouTube 15min attention span/no long term memory skip the facts era.

          • Doo Doo Andra-de
            Still
            He is a HORRIBLE fighter!
            No heart at all with Benavidez
            First time he is in a real fight
            And he quits, No mas what a clown

          • Kind of hard to beat the likes of Canelo, with the cinnamon refuses to fight him. Benavidez is supposed to be next in line to fight the winner of Bivol vs Beterbiev. Everyone said he was ducking Morrell and look how that turned out. Also, Gvozdyk was up on 2 of the 3 judges scorecards before he got stopped Gvozdyk in the 9th. Beterbiev is now the 40 year old elder to Benavidez’s 30. Styles make fights and Benavidez definitely brings the energy and output to give Beterbiev a run for his money. Your thought process on Gvozdyk getting KO’d by Beterbiev and going the distance with Benavidez is no different than Duran beating Leonard, and then Hearns Ko of Leonard, and then leonard Ko’s Hearns. STYLES MAKE FIGHTS

  • David Benavidez defeated David Morrell and took his “0” in an exciting fight. Morrell dropped Benavidez in the 11th round. Morrell was deducted a point for hitting after the bell in the 11th round.

  • I absolutely believe that Benavidez vs. Beterbiev is the most attractive fight at 175 rather than him against Bivol. Bivol vs. Benavidez is the antithesis of Benavidez vs. Beterbiev.

    • Bivol will be the champ ,he won the first fight but will make sure this time.

  • I like benavidez, but no matter who he fights next beterbiev or bivol, he loses. Bivol picks him apart and beterbiev knocks him out. Good fight. Fightnews, please fix your server issues.

  • You don’t stand right in front of a power puncher and bend over to catch his uppercuts. Terrible fight strategy for Morrell, a little bit of stick and move each round would have made this whole affair considerably different. Nonetheless, Benavidez took it to him and was relentless even after getting dropped. Benavidez however takes way too many punches himself to beat Bivol or Beterbiev in my opinion. Not sure where he goes should that prove to be true. He might’ve been better off staying at 168, and being a little patient.

    • I told everyone Ronnie Shields is not for David Morrell he has no instruction for him and he could not get the best out of him he should go back to his original trainer who got him his first title Im from Minneapolis I like David but needs to come back her he is not a 175 pound fighter he is a 168 pound fighter he tiik alot of damage in that fight should of never fought him

  • Fun fight, hats off to benavidez. Morrell has the tools but needs a better corner.

    The biggest surprise for me was seeing how good benavidez was defensively. He blocked a lot of punches. I didn’t realize he was that slick.

    Excellent scrap though. Morrell showed a lot of heart.

    And yea fightnews needs to fix their site or I won’t be returning.

      • How insecure is the Fightnews comments editor? I responded to this query and my comments have been deleted. Unbelievable.

  • Benevidez output is hard to deal with. Even when he gets dinged he throws and throws. Leaves himself waaaaaay too open sometimes.

  • the commentating was hilarious talking about Benavidez and his head movement …he never moves his head and is very flatfooted what a joke.

    • What’s your beef with David? He may crack the P4P top 10 this week yet you criticize like crazy.

      • Benavidez is not a top 10 caliber fighter. He’s been fortunate so far. He’s HUGE for 168, so he was able to steamroll guys like peterson, andrade and plant. Morrell is the same size as benavidez, but with only 10 fights, morrell is still a very inexperienced guy. I think benavidez is good. He would definitely beat canelo. but neiher of them should be pfp top 10.

        • Disagree with you on this one. Huge or not at 168, he made the weight. It could be argued that it took a lot out of him, but he makes the weight. Morrel is a Cuban fighter that has been probably fighting since he could put on gloves. Cuban fighters have experience beyond years that they enter the pro ranks. When I hear a Cuban fighter, I think experience.

  • It was a good fight.
    Benavidez was too tough, too focused, too aggressive and too accurate.
    I liked how he copped that Tyson move of moving the opponents glove.
    Morrell had the tools to win but he either didn’t follow the game plan or was given the wrong game plan. I agree with the poster above, I’d like to see him get a different trainer. He should have been going to the body from round 1. He could have won just by jabbing and staying at distance.
    I think David COULD possibly beat Bivol, but Beterbiev would DESTROY him.

  • I don’t think morrel did the wrong tactic he just could not handle stronger fighter like Benavides

    And I love this kind of fights because lot of people who have followed boxing for years they still believe that technique beat size/ power and sometimes it happens but in boxing size / power dominate technique

    Benavides is just stronger than morrel benavides hits harder and have more resistance , morrel is a hard hitter but he never hurt Benavides

    Benavides instead punished morrel and morrel stop attacking after 5 round

    Now morrel is a hell of a fighter and he still has bright future in boxing his career is not done yet

    Now talking about Benavides I don’t think he can beat bivol or Betterbiev ….why ??? Because what I mentioned above he has no size or power to beat either bivol or Betterbiev

    And same would it be for bivol and Betterbiev who I think they can’t beat opetaia at cruiser weight

    Why ??? Because size and power is crucial in boxing

    People still don’t understand this

    That’s why I don’t want Crawford vs canelo this fight makes no sense at all

    Good performance by Benavides

  • I think Crawford can beat a 168 pounder but no to a big dog like canelo

    Maybe a taxi driver like Diego Pacheco

  • Bring on Benavidez vs the winner between Bivol vs Betterbiev in the near future hopefully see Morrell back in near future against a highly ranked light heavyweight contender in the near future.Conguralations to Benavidez and Morrell putting on a very entertaining fight

    • I agree, Benavidez vs the top dog Bivol or Beterbiev makes sense and will be another banger!

  • I was far more impressed with Morrell. He only had 11 fights, and Benavidez was more experienced at 29 fights. Benavidez was unimpressive to me, standing in the pocket, firing off combinations, preferring the fight stay in the trenches. He was expected to knock Morrell out, but Morrell proved to be too strong, and his punches, skills, tenacity, and durability earned Benavidez’s respect. Maybe a second fight is necessary. Better prepared, it might be Morrell who proves superior, since Benavidez demonstrated his best to pull out the win.

  • Entertaining fight! People here poking at Benavidez are clowns, period! Morell called him a Robocop but he could not fend off the constant pressure. Benavidez style appears one dimensional but I don’t think the punishment he took was excessive, he has definetly refined his guard even with that straight up posture. Bivol falls right in line with both Morell and Andrade (Boxer-punchers). Beterbiev’s clock is ticking much faster and his age can be an issue with a Benavidez match up. I think the undisputed chances are aligning well for Benavidez.

  • Spot on here. Benavidez has evolved into a complete fighter and Morrell was just too green for him. Those Benavidez bodyshots were just brutal and landed both early and often. I honestly don’t know how Morrell stood up to that body attack and showed a ton of toughness in doing so, probably to his detriment. I honestly have little interest in a Benavidez-Canelo matchup at this point because Benavidez is now a full-fledged light heavyweight and Canelo just doesn’t have the strength, firepower, or skill edge at this point to hang with “El Monstro.” Canelo’s only chance would be if Benavidez had to severely weaken himself to make 168 or if Canelo insisted on a bogus catch weight (either of which are likely). I’d rather see “El Monstro” take on the Beterbiev-Bivol winner (likely Beterbiev again). I’ve been calling for the Benavidez-Beterbiev bout for a while now and think it’s one of the most mouth-watering matchups this sport has to offer.

  • I only saw this after watching highlights on YouTube but Morrell actually dipped Benavidez’s knees with a superb flush right hook in the 4th. DB’s got a seriously good chin.

  • Wether you like him or not DB is racking up the wins. His style reminds me of the great Welsh world champion Joe Calzaghe. Non stop combos, flurries of punches. Joe copped a couple,every boxer does, but had fantastic body movement and ring IQ. Benavidez lacks the body movement and as someone said ,head movement. Improve that and things get interesting at 175lb

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