This Saturday sees the first big fight of 2025 with the bout between David Benavidez and David Morrell from Las Vegas at 175 pounds.
While neither the Mexican Monster nor the Cuban are world champions nor are they fighting for the title, the fight pits two undefeated fighters who can challenge the Light Heavyweight champion for their next fight.
“Benavidez and Morrell would beat Canelo Alvarez”
Benavidez (29-0, 24KOs) has sought for more than a year to challenge Saul Alvarez‘s reign at 168 pounds, but the Guadalajara native has refused to accept him for being disrespectful.
That’s why the Mexican Monster moved up to the light heavyweight division where he will face Morrell (11-0, 9KOs) and is waiting to challenge Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol, from which the undisputed champion of the category will emerge on February 22.
Canelo Alvarez’s refusal to fight Benavidez has been criticized in the boxing world and now former world champion Paulie Malignaggi talks about how the two Davids would beat Saul.
“I think both (Benavidez and Morrell) would beat Canelo right now. I’m one step ahead of the Canelo brigade to defend him so that when they (Benavidez and Morrell) have a close fight, the Canelo brigade will say they didn’t look good and no, no, no. They’re having a close fight with each other because they’re both better than Canelo,” Malignaggi told FightHype.
Benavidez vs Morrell, a fight of “hungry young men”
Paulie Malignaggi sees David Benavidez as the favorite in his fight against David Morrell, although he does not think it will be an easy fight and may not even convince with his victory if he gets it.
“I lean towards Benavidez, but I think it’s a very difficult fight. Maybe this fight was made because Morrell looked a little vulnerable against Hot Rod (Radivoje Kalajdzic), but I don’t think it’s an easy fight, it’s a complicated fight.
“Benavidez is ultra competitive… he’s in his prime, he’s young and he wants to make these fights. You have to make these fights when the boxers are hungry and young. I think the winner will be criticised anyway for not dominating, that’s the world we live in,” Malignaggi said.