Diego Pacheco praises David Benavidez, picks him to beat David Morrell

Super middleweight contender Diego Pacheco believes David Benavidez will beat David Morrell on February 1. 

Speaking to Sean Zittel, Pacheco previewed the anticipated light heavyweight matchup and drew on recent experience sparring with Benavidez – even if, by constantly referring to him as “David,” he may make the viewer double-check which fighter he is referring to. Perhaps one of them should take on the nickname “Goliath” just for this fight. 

“David [Benavidez], he’s looking very good. I’ve been in the gym with him for the past few weeks,” Pacheco told Zittel. “He’s been looking great, great shape, doing some amazing things in the ring like always. David’s a monster. I think he’s gonna take care of business February 1, think he might even get the stoppage against David Morrell.” 

Benavidez’s brand is built on his versatile, unrelenting offense, hence his “Monster” tag. But Pacheco, speaking from sparring with Benavidez as recently as three months ago, praised his defense. 

“His defense, bro,” Pacheco said, his eyes lighting up, when asked about Benavidez’ underrated abilities. “His defense is crazy. You can’t tell because he stands so straight, but he’s really good at pulling back and coming back with punches.”

Benavidez faded in the second half of his most recent fight with Oleksandr Gvozdyk, by account due to injured tendons in both hands. But before then, Benavidez did indeed flash some improved head movement, only allowing Gvozdyk to land 23.3% of his punches. 

Pacheco added that Benavidez is constantly looking to improve. “[Benavidez] films everything,” he told Zittel. “He watches everything, to the little details, the little footwork things, the shoulders, and he corrects all of those things. He shares the knowledge with me as well. He’s always giving me tips, and things that he thinks will work for me, and that’s one thing I appreciate about him.”