3 Reasons to Watch David Benavidez vs David Morrell

LAS VEGAS — If, like me, you enjoy sanctioned violence from throwback fighters, then boy, do I have a fight to recommend to you.

On Saturday, the 1st of February, Premier Boxing Champions hosts its first event of 2025 with David Benavidez vs David Morrell in the main event at light heavyweight, after main card fights between Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton, Isaac Cruz vs Angel Fierro, and Jesus Ramos against Jeison Rosario.

Though the entire box office show at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas has the potential for carnage, it’s the headline bout in particular that insiders are vowing will deliver in a way befitting of other modern-day boxing classics involving fan-favorite savages like Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler.

GIVEMESPORT is already in the Fight Capital of the World for the event, and midway through Fight Week, it’s clear that the Strip is the place to be. Keep scrolling for three reasons why Benavidez vs Morrell is can’t miss TV.

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This is a Clear Fight of the Year Contender in The Making

The Benavidez vs Morrell winner is on the cusp of boxing’s pound-for-pound lists

GIVEMESPORT reporter and editor Alan Dawson has covered the boom period of Benavidez’s career — from his brutal beatdown of Caleb Plant, to the destructive performance against Demetrius Andrade, and, last summer, his debut at light heavyweight in which he out-pointed Oleksandr Gvozdyk. There are few fighters out there who are more determined to put on a show than the Mexican Monster; a nickname Mike Tyson gave him on account of how he boxes. He boxes like you stole his money. It must be a really frustrating style to try and thwart because he starts hard and fast, and just gets worse as every round progresses, because his stamina is traditionally so awesome that he increases his output the later the fight gets. If you found it tough in the opening rounds, good luck getting to the finish. This bad man will hurt ya.

Though Benavidez has fought more often in the pro game, Morrell has a wealth of experience as an amateur, will attack Benavidez from the southpaw stance, has extraordinary physical abilities with an absurd wingspan which he could use to deliver devastating blows from long range with swift hand speed. Benavidez is without question the toughest test of Morrell’s career, but Morrell, too, can present problems in the ring that Benavidez has not yet been tasked with solving.

It’s a bona fide banger of a fight, and it’s easy to agree with TGB Promotions boss Tom Brown, who told GIVEMESPORT and other reporters Thursday that this will be a war.

David Benavidez vs David Morrell Will be a War

It threatened to boil over at Thursday’s press conference

Benavidez and Morrell have been linked with one another since long before they left the super middleweight division, and it’s uncommon in boxing that two undefeated peak performers collide when there is no major championship on the line. Brown told GIVEMESPORT and other reporters that he wanted to put a number one after their names on fight posters, as he believes the fight will be so compelling and brutal that there’ll be too much fan demand to deny a sequel, or even a trilogy.

There is no love lost between Benavidez and Morrell, who have been jawing at one another at various events GIVEMESPORT has attended throughout the entire promotion. Benavidez even threatened to break Morrell’s jaw when they were face-to-face at a kick-off event we attended in November. Fast forward a couple months, and even though the fight is just two days away, Morrell’s representative Luis DeCubas Sr promised Benavidez he was not only going to lose to Morrell, but lose by nasty knockout.

Benavidez responded by claiming without providing evidence that DeCubas was stiffing Morrell when it came to his fight purse, asking him who was earning more in the fight, he, as a boxing manager, or his client, the actual fighter — Morrell. DeCubas responded to Benavidez’s accusation by telling him he’s only chirping because he’s scared.

DeCubas Sr has been around elite fighters for decades, and referenced his time with all-time great boxer Roberto Duran — as intimidating a fighter as Mike Tyson in his prime — as a reason he can tell when an opponent is soiling their underwear. And told Benavidez he senses that from him.

Considering all the pre-fight talk, there is a lot of personal pride on the line on Saturday.

Benavidez vs Morrell Winner Provides Instant Light Heavyweight Championship Challenger

There is great continuity at play as the winner would become a clear contender

There is also even more than personal pride at stake, as the Benavidez vs Morrell winner would become a clear challenger for the undisputed light heavyweight championship.

Artur Beterbiev is the current No.1 in the division after he annexed all the major world titles at 175 pounds with a competitive win over Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last year. They contest their high-stakes rematch on the 22nd of February, again in Saudi Arabia. Should Beterbiev make it a case of repeat, rather than revenge, then the Benavidez vs Morrell winner would become the ideal opponent for Beterbiev to defend his belts against later this year. Should Bivol score a revenge win over Beterbiev, which would warrant a trilogy bout, whoever ended up winning the series would still have another legacy fight in their horizon, taking on either Benavidez or Morrell.

All of this is great for boxing.

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