The refusal of Alvarez de Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to face his first two Challengers while the undisputed champion of average weights forced these two men, David Benavidez and David Morrell, in a force of strength with high issues this Saturday evening. Benavidez and Morrell both went to light heavy goods vehicles after failing to ensure fights with Alvarez. Now they meet a potential blow in the undisputed heavy goods championship on the line.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KB) held the average WBC weight title twice and has never lost the title in the ring. After winning the title the first time with a shared decision on Ronald Gavril in 2017, he managed to defend the belt in their 2018 Revenge match. Later that year, it was reported that Benavidez had been tested positive for the Cocaine in a voluntary screening test of the anti -doping agency and was stripped of its title and presented a four -month suspension.
Benavidez would find the title in his second fight after his suspension, arresting Anthony Dirrell in the ninth round of their fight. He would never defend this title, not having gained weight for his first defense planned against Roamer Alexis Angulo and being again stripped of the belt.
A greater domination of the division continued to Benavidez in the ring, in particular by winning the temporary WBC title in 2022. Alvarez collected the four titles of the world at 168 pounds, but has made any discussion on several occasions On Benavidez, the clear pretender for his championships.
How David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr.
Brian Campbell

As he has become more and more clear than a fight with one of the biggest boxing stars was never going to materialize, Benavidez made the jump to 175 pounds where he again won an temporary WBC title By beating the former world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk. The fight with Gvozdyk turned out to be a little more difficult than expected, partly because of the torn hand ligaments suffered before the fight and in part because Benavidez’s endurance seemed to make him fail while the fight struck the Last laps.
“I worked extremely hard. I told you everything I was going to break David Morrell’s face and that’s exactly what I’m going to do on Saturday,” said Benavidez this week. “Everyone will see a big fight. I have prepared myself very well for this fight. Do not flash, because this fight will end early.”
Morrell (11-0, 9 KB) also spent a lot of time as a compulsory challenger in Alvarez and was allegedly considered a very legitimate opponent for the Mexican superstar. Although he won the WBA “regular” “regular” championship in his fifth professional fight and making five consecutive defenses, Morrell faced the same lack of interest from Alvarez and also leap to 175 pounds, beating Radivoje Kalajdzic to win The title “Regular” in the title “Regular” in the title “Regular” in the title “Regular” in the title “Regular” in the title “Regularly” the new weight.
Like the fight in the division of Benavidez with Gvozdyk, Morrell sometimes had trouble in his light heavy beginnings, making a decision on Radivoje Kalajdzic in a much closer combat than indicated by official dashboards. Before this fight, only two of Morrell’s opponents managed to pass the fourth round.
The price that has escaped the two men of Super Middleweight – a fight with several world championships at stake – seems to be at hand now. The winner will become the obvious challenger of the winner of the Revenge match between the unat -contested light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivo, which takes place on February 22.
“I don’t care what he brings in the ring. They call him the monster, but I’m not worried about any of this. I have my team behind me and I’m ready,” said Morrell. “I am 100%confident. I have Ronnie Shields in my corner and we had an excellent training camp in Texas. I feel good and I am not worried about what someone else says. I’m going to have the last word on Saturday. “
The Undercard again presents high level names that seek to splash again. Look no further than the co-principal event when Brandon Figueroa puts on his featherweight of WBC online against Stephen Fulton Jr. The two met in an instant classic in the fight of the year 2021 where Fulton left with a contested majority decision. Now, in a weight class where Figueroa has been more successful, Fulton will have to find the same kind of fight if he wants to be champion again.
“I am very excited and I can’t wait to recover my licking. It’s going to be a fun fight. I’m focused and ready,” said Figueroa this week. “This preparation was different. I feel stronger and sharper. I am a different fighter at this weight and everyone will see on Saturday. I come to steal the show. I want to take boxing and go down in history books like one of the big ones.
“Being a world champion with two divisions would mean a lot for my career and would mean a lot to me,” said Fulton. “I had an excellent preparation for this fight and everything is on the right track for me to prepare myself on Saturday evening. I’m going to be ready. My state of mind, my body and how I feel in this ring will be different this times, but the result will be the same.
Let’s take a closer look at the rest of the Undercard with the last dimensions before going to a prediction and an expert choice on the main event below.
Benavidez against Morrell Fight Card, dimensions
- David Benavidez -230 against David Morrell +180, light heavyweight
- Brandon Figueroa (C) -185 against Stephen Fulton +150, WBC featherweight title
- Isaac Cruz -900 against Angel Fierro +550, Weight Welter Junior
- Jesus Ramos -2500 against Jeison Rosario +1100, average junior weight
- Mirco Cuello -650 against Christian Olivo Barda +450, featherweight
- Yoenli Hernandez -2500 against Angel Ruiz Astorga +1100, average weight
- KAIPO GALLEGOS -600 against Leonardo Padilla +425, light junior weight
- Jose Benavidez Jr. -1100 against Danny Rosenberger +650, average weight
- Daniel Blancas -2000 against Juan Barajas +900, super average weight
- Curmel Moto -4000 against Frank Zaldivar +1200, light
Where to watch Benavidez against Morrell Jr.
- Date: February 1 | Start time: 8 p.m. he (main card)
- Location: T -Mobile Arena – Las Vegas
- TV / Flow channel: Amazon PPV ($ 79.99) and PPV.com
Prediction
This fight may well be summed up to which man made greater adjustments to be a light heavyweight. As talented as the two men are, there is no bypass because the two were less than their usual stellar self in their first battles by weight. It should be mentioned that none of the two men took a light touch in their beginnings of 175 pounds, but they simply did not seem as dominant as they have been for years at Super Middleweight .
Morrell was a beating boost for most of his career, exploding opponents with a power that only improves with a solid technique as an accomplished amateur. Benavidez’s style is a little gross, although it has always been effective and has clearly sharpened its tools as his career has progressed.
If the fight breaks down into an exchange of shots, one or the other man has the power to win a stroke of the fight. Morrell could look at Benavidez fake late in his last fight as a sign that he needs to try to choose stains to push the rhythm and drag things in the later towers to really take over while Benavidez. That said, it would be surprising to see one or the other man adopt a particularly safe approach in the fight and the higher level of professional experience of Benavidez should make it more comfortable to pay the fight. Pick: David Benavidez via MD
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