Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. predicts that his son, ‘The Mexican Monster’ David Benavidez, is going to “destroy” David Morrell in their light heavyweight contest in 11 days on February 1st on PBC on Prime Video PPV in Las Vegas.
This fight will show whether Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) is just a “fake” ‘Monster,’ living off of the hype he got from fighting against smaller opposition at 168, or if he’s for real. Morrell says he’s seen fighters like Benavidez and views him as 100% “fake.”
Now that Benavidez is fighting at 175 against a younger fighter with equal size as him, but more power, he might get exposed by Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs).
Exit Strategy Already Planned?
According to Team Morrell, Benavidez walks around between 215 and 220. So, he’s got the size to reinvent himself at cruiserweight if he fails against the talented Cuban on February 1st.
If Benavidez loses, he may need to decide whether he wants to move up to cruiserweight to try and salvage his career in that weight class. Staying at 175 would be a mistake for him because if he can’t beat Morrell, then he surely won’t be successful against Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol.
Jose Sr. is already discussing an exit strategy, discussing the possibility of Benavidez moving up to cruiserweight to challenge WBA and WBO champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez for his belts. He’d have to wait his turn until after IBF champion Jai Opetaia faces Zurdo in a three-belt unification. But either of those guys would be open to fighting Benavidez with him coming off a loss to Morrell.
Even if he gets knocked out by Morrell, they’d be willing to fight him because he would still be popular, and he would likely have excuses to explain away his loss. He mentioned injuries to explain why he performed poorly against Oleksandr Gvozdyk, and fans believed him. He could do the same thing if he loses to Morrell, and people would give him a pass.
“We’re locked in 100% with Morrell. He’s a tough fighter, a younger fighter. He’s a two-time world champion and hungry. We’re not underestimating this guy,’ said Jose Benavidez Sr. to Sean Zittel about David Morrell, who David Benavidez faces on February 1st.
“We’re 100% there. David [Benavidez] is 28-years-old. In my mind, I think David is going to destroy him [Morrell]. Let’s focus on that right now. For sure, David has big dreams. He wants to fight the winner. Who doesn’t want to fight the winner of Bivol and Beterbiev? Maybe even have a fight with Zurdo Ramirez at cruiserweight.
“Those fights are great. Great monsters in that division, and there are great opportunities at that weight. Zurdo Ramirez is going to fight the other guy [IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia] for the belt, and hopefully, we get the opportunity to do that also,” said Benavidez Sr.
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