David Benavidez says he proved that David Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) would “By no means” beat him final weekend together with his victory over the previous WBA ‘common’ mild heavyweight champion on the T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas. Followers don’t agree.
Morrell Shines Brilliant
The highly effective Cuban southpaw Morrell’s punches broken the face of WBC interim 175-lb champion Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs), giving him a Frankenstein’s Monster look by the tip. Benavidez was combating on fumes from the tenth spherical, wholly exhausted, and taking vicious punishment from the rallying Morrell.
I’d reasonably have been Morrell final Saturday evening than Benavidez, who took a bucket filled with punishment, leaving him wanting absolutely overwhelmed. Morrell arguably has a greater future than Benavidez at 175 as a result of he has much more energy and technical expertise.
If Benavidez believed that he might beat Morrell in a rematch, he wouldn’t have rejected the thought of combating him once more by repeatedly saying that he “doesn’t deserve’ a rematch. It’s one factor to say that Morrell can “by no means” beat him. Nonetheless, it’s one other to really show it.
Morrell was the higher fighter from rounds 10 via 12 when he pressured Benavidez nonstop and had him on the canvas within the eleventh. Benavidez acquired away with homicide together with his rabbit punches and guard pull-downs that he was utilizing within the battle.
The referee ought to have stated one thing about these issues. Additionally, Benavidez had his trunks pulled up excessive, in a Fury-esque type, to restrict the goal space for Morrell to hit him to the physique. The referee ought to have insisted that Benavidez alter them.
If there was a rematch, Morrell can be able to make the most of Benavidez if he selected to throw punches in the back of the top or maintain his left hand down whereas punching.
It was just like Benavidez’s earlier battle, through which he gassed out after 9 rounds in opposition to former WBC mild heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk and took many heavy pictures. At mild heavyweight, Benavidez confirmed in his two fights that he’s a nine-round fighter with nothing left within the gasoline tank from 10 via 12.
The “By no means” Declare
“I’d like to battle him once more. I confirmed that I used to be above him and that he’ll by no means have the ability to beat me,” stated David Benavidez to Ariel Helwani’s channel, speaking about David Morrell after beating him final weekend in a grueling battle that left his personal face unrecognizable.
“I can rise up to 200, however I don’t wish to rise up over that,” stated Benavidez when requested how excessive he can take his weight. I really feel snug at 175. I really feel with each battle, I’m getting stronger and stronger. For this battle, I got here in at 196. That’s most likely the heaviest I’ve ever been. Now, I really feel 100% snug at 175 and being at 195.”
Benavidez weighed in at 174 lbs final Friday, which means he rehydrated a whopping 22 lbs for his battle in opposition to Morrell. That might clarify why he regarded a lot larger than the Cuban expertise contained in the ring.
It’s good for Benavidez that Morrell didn’t maintain the IBF title as a result of he would have needed to cope with a 10-lb rehydration restrict for the secondary weigh-on day of the battle. May Benavidez have handed a rehydration restrict? Sure, however he would have doubtless been drained for the battle, and Morrell would have had a bonus over him.
Final Up to date on 02/05/2025