Preview: Benavidez and Morrell look to make mark without superstar opponent

David Benavidez and David Morrell didn’t get Canelo, so they’re going straight at one another.

Becoming a superstar in modern boxing is not easy. One of the easiest ways to do it — or at least to give yourself the best chance to become one — is to beat one of the few already-established superstars, if you’re lucky enough to have one at or near your weight.

For David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr, that man was there. The pair of them were at super middleweight and doing what they could to earn a fight with super middleweight and box office king Canelo Alvarez.

But with Canelo seemingly indifferent about facing either man, the Davids moved up to light heavyweight in 2024. There was no Canelo at 175, but there was Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, who are now tangled up with one another for what will be back-to-back fights, the rematch coming on Feb. 22 in Riyadh.

Once again, Benavidez, 28, and Morrell, 27, found themselves without big name dance partners. And they’re done waiting.

Benavidez and Morrell have simply turned their attention to one another, and will square off on Feb. 1 in a PBC pay-per-view main event from Las Vegas.

There are no world titles on the line, but this is a high stakes fight for both men, with the possibility of facing the Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 winner later this year on the table.

Benavidez (29-0, 24 KO) made his light heavyweight debut last June, not exactly blowing doors off against skilled ex-titlist Oleksandr Gvozdyk, but winning comfortably. Morrell (11-0, 9 KO) had a similar outing in his August move up, winning a decision against Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kaladjzic.

It’s true that neither David hit the light heavyweight ranks like a force of nature, but they both defeated tough, veteran opponents, and at the same time showed that they don’t need to bowl anyone over to win their fights.

Morrell especially was gaining the reputation of a truly brutal puncher, but there is a depth of skill in his game, even if he’s not a classic Cuban stylist. And while Benavidez isn’t going to remind anyone of Floyd Mayweather or Terence Crawford, he has sharpened his overall skill set over the years, too, and is much more than a rugged tough guy.

The fan desire, understandably, will be to see fireworks from these men, though a more tactical approach early may be in the offing. At some point, though, these guys are going to land good shots, and the fight could catch real fire at any time.

Benavidez and Morrell have ramped up the promotional hostilities, and while those are far more often posturing than legitimate, these are two men with very real chips on their shoulders. Benavidez is tired of waiting on big fight opportunities, and Morrell doesn’t have the patience to spend all the time required to get tired of waiting for his own.

It’s also a tough fight to predict, with no obvious favorite on paper. Benavidez, a multi-time titleholder at 168 lbs, has probably proven a bit more, but Morrell represents a new sort of challenge, too — he’s big, he’s strong, he’s not someone Benavidez will be able to physically bully, though that goes two ways in the matchup.

The winner, then, will have to prove something new about himself to get his hand raised, and neither man should expect it to come easy this time. Nor should it be, and with Benavidez and Morrell, we have a pair of fighters willing to take the risk and earn it on a longer road.

Undercard highlights

Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images

In late 2021, Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton met in a terrific scrap for a pair of super bantamweight titles, with Fulton winning a controversial majority decision. They meet again in the chief support on the pay-per-view, now as featherweights, with Figueroa defending the WBC title. Their styles meshed in compelling fashion last time out, and both Figueroa (25-1-1, 19 KO) and Fulton (22-1, 8 KO) remain in their prime years, so it could certainly be another good one.

Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz will remain at 140 lbs despite losing to Jose Valenzuela in his last fight, taking on Angel Fierro in a 10-rounder. Pitbull (26-3-1, 18 KO) probably would be better off at 135, but there will be opportunities at either weight should he win. He is expected to do just that, but Fierro (23-2-2, 18 KO) is a tough fighter and has some power. Could be a really good action fight, could be more competitive than Cruz expects.

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