David Morrell Jr. wants to prove to everyone that he is ready for top-level fighters like David Benavidez and make Cubans proud on February 1 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Morrell wants to shut up people who think he still lacks the experience to face the best in the division, which does not prevent him from showing respect for Benavidez.
David Morrell respects David Benavidez, but criticizes him
David Morrell will take a big step up in his level of competition when he faces David Benavidez on February 1. But Morrell says the opposite is also true.
“He’s never faced anyone like me,” Morrell said in a press release. “When fight night comes, he will realize that I am faster, stronger and smarter than anyone he has ever stepped into the ring with.”
Benavidez, who is 29-0 with 24 KOs, has proven more in the professional world. He entered the paid ranks in 2013, is a former super middleweight champion and has victories over fighters such as Anthony Dirrell, Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade. In June, Benavidez moved up to light heavyweight and defeated former lineal champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk to win the WBC interim light heavyweight belt.
Morrell, with a record of 11-0 (9 KOs), was fast-tracked during his own time at super middleweight after turning professional in 2019. Morrell held the WBA’s secondary “regular” belt for a time at 168 pounds. While the opponents he beat along the way were less accomplished than those Benavidez faced, Morrell swept through Mario Cazares, Alantez Fox, Yamaguchi Falcao and Sena Agbeko. In August, he outpointed Radivoje Kalajdzic and received the WBA’s secondary “regular” belt.
While the four major world titles at 175 pounds are in the hands of Artur Beterbiev, and are tied up in his upcoming rematch with Dmitry Bivol, Benavidez and Morrell are competing to be seen as the remaining top contender.
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. It’s the fight that changes everything,” said Morrell, a 26-year-old Cuban who now lives in the United States. “A win over Benavidez not only puts me on top, but cements me as one of the best fighters in the world. After this fight, there will be no doubt who the king of the division is. I’m ready to take that crown.”
The two fighters have been arguing. Whether the bad blood is real or not, it is helping to sell their fight, which is broadcast on pay-per-view via Amazon’s Prime Video, PPV.com and traditional cable and satellite services.
“He’s been talking a lot, calling me out and disrespecting my name,” Morrell said. “That’s fine by me, because words won’t save him when we’re face to face in the ring. All this trash talk feeds me. He will regret every word when I make him eat his pride, blow by blow.”
But Morrell also praises Benavidez and what it will take to beat him.
“This camp has been brutal and I love it,” he said at one point. “Ronnie [Shields, his trainer] has pushed me harder than ever before, both mentally and physically. Every day in Texas I’ve been sharpening my tools, because I know that nothing less than perfection will beat Benavidez. I’m ready to show the world what real work looks like.”
“Benavidez is considered one of the most dangerous boxers in boxing, so when I beat him, everyone will see what I’m capable of,” Morrell said at another point. “People call him ‘The Mexican Monster,’ but I’m not afraid of monsters, I hunt them!”
The Mexican Monster will make this fight with the Cuban to defend his position as mandatory challenger in the category, as he could face the winner of the rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. The rivalry with Morrell was born when both belonged to the super middleweight division and now the fighters will settle their differences at 175 pounds.