David Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) faces David Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) this Saturday, February 1st at the T-Mobile Arena for light heavyweight supremacy. The winner will become the mandatory challenger for the victor of the Artur Beterbiev versus Dmitry Bivol rematch on February 22nd.
(Credit: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions)
Benavidez has sought a mega fight against Canelo Alvarez for years but has grown impatient and now seeks to make his own path in the light heavyweight division. Now, the opportunity to propel his career and challenge the undisputed light heavyweight champion is within reach if he can successfully defeat Morrell.
For Morrell, the fight against Benavidez will be the biggest fight of his young career, who, with only 11 professional fights, has yet to be truly tested. His toughest match to date would be his light heavyweight debut against Radivoje Kalajdzic. He won the match by unanimous decision but outlanded Kalajdzic by only 32 punches in the 36-minute match. Kalajdzic was strong until
the end, outlanding Morrell 41 to 38 in the last four rounds. Kalajdzic, in comparison to Benavidez, would be considered an economical puncher. How will Morrell fair against a volume power puncher like Benavidez? At a media workout in Miami, Morrell referred to Benavidez as Robocop due to his lack of agility in the ring. Benavidez, however, has demonstrated the ability to defeat agile and mobile boxers in Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade. Although he is agile, Morrell wouldn’t be considered unhittable, and Kalajdzic demonstrated that in their match, landing nearly 30 percent of his power punches.
Benavidez has one of the highest connect percentages in the sport at 37.9 percent, which is second to only Bam Rodriguez at 39.5 percent. His pressure and accuracy will pose challenges for Morrell, who has yet to face anyone of his caliber in the pros. Benavidez likes to break his opponents down round by round, punishing them with his lethal combinations. Against former WBC and lineal light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk, he was able to land an impressive 46.7 percent of his power punches.
Morrell will seek to utilize his 4-inch reach advantage and box at a distance. How disciplined can he stay to this strategy remains to be seen. During the pre-fight events, both demonstrated a genuine dislike for one another. Benavidez has made it known that he intends to severely punish Morrell and make an example out of him. He wants to send a message that he is one of the best in the sport, and winning convincingly against Morrell would propel him to superstardom. He must be careful not to be overly aggressive,e as Morrell has the power to capitalize on a mistake if he commits one.
Benavidez must be strategic with his punch selection and utilize the jab. He tends to forget the jab and simply goes into the pocket and throws combinations. Benavidez had similar disdain for another opponent in Caleb Plant, the pre-fight events were as heated as they have been with Morrell.
His strategy going into that fight was very similar to what he intends to do in this one which is to destroy his opponent. In doing so, he forgot some boxing basics and had a very anemic jab rate, landing only 30 jabs in their 12-round match. He can’t do that against Morrell; he must throw the jab at a high rate. Kalajdzic utilized the jab intelligently, allowing him to set up his offensive attack. Benavidez must stay levelheaded and fight his fight. He must not fall into Morrell’s mind games and fall into his traps.
Benavidez has faced better competition professionally and has the experience to win the match. He must target the body and slow the 27-year-old Morrell, who will seek to use his mobility to minimize Benavidez’s attack. If Benavidez can withstand Morrell’s power, it should be his fight to lose.
Source: Compubox
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