David Benavidez-David Morrell: Stats and Stakes
Will this light heavyweight clash deliver?
No one is ever ready, no one is ever proven, until they are.
This Saturday (Amazon Prime PPV, 8 PM EST), in arguably the first great match of 2025, David Morrell will get to prove to the world whether or not he’s ready. In just his 12th pro start, he’ll take on Saul Alvarez’s Voldemort with the winner directly in line to face the winner of the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol rematch later this month.
Light heavyweight is alive and well.
David Benavidez, like Morrell, showed tremendous promise but there were questions about the men he was facing. This was despite winning belts at 168 pounds twice. In three consecutive fights, Benavidez beat former titlists Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade before debuting at a new weight class against former lineal king Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
Those opposition questions have gone away. The path is open for Benavidez to get to the undisputed light heavyweight crown. Can Morrell make his first big statement at Benavidez’s expense?
Let’s get into it.
Stats and Stakes
David Benavidez
Age: 28
Titles: None*
Previous Titles: WBC super middleweight (2017-18, 1 Defense; 2019-20)
Height: 6’2
Weight: 174 ¼ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Phoenix, Arizona
Record: 29-0, 24 KO
Press Rankings: #2 (Ring), #3 (ESPN, BoxRec), #6 (TBRB)
Record in Major Title Fights: 3-0, 1 KO (7-0, 3 KO including interim title fights)
Last Five Opponents: 133-8-1 (.940)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Anthony Dirrell KO9; David Lemieux TKO3; Caleb Plant UD12; Demetrius Andrade RTD6; Oleksandr Gvozdyk UD12
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: David Lemieux TKO3
*Currently holds WBC interim title at light heavyweight
Vs.
David Morrell
Age: 27
Title: None
Previous Titles: None**
Height: 6’1
Weight: 174 ¼ lbs.
Stance: Southpaw
Hails from: Santa Clara, Cuba
Record: 11-0, 9 KO
Press Rankings: #4 (ESPN, BoxRec), #8 (Ring)
Record in Major Title Fights: 0-0 (8-0, 6 KO including WBA interim and sub-title fights)
Last Five Opponents: 112-6-2 (.942)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: None
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None
**Currently holds WBA sub-title at light heavyweight; previously held at super middleweight
The Pick: While Morrell lacks for professional rounds, and certainly lacks for resume at this point, he’s not a young 11-0. He was an excellent amateur and, at 27, is in his physical prime. He’s got educated feet, solid power, and gets to target in textbook fashion. He can match the size of Benavidez and has longer arms.
Where Benavidez will have the edge is in better opposition as a professional and in his fluidity. Benavidez puts together creative combinations and can shift his lead foot while pushing forward. On occasion that can leave him square, meaning chances for huge counters from Morrell. The problem is when one doesn’t catch Benavidez, they find themselves catching an increasing volume of shots.
While another fight or two might have been beneficial for Morrell, this doesn’t feel like a fight he isn’t ready for. It does feel like a fight where one fighter is going to end up being just a little better. Morrell can win. Benavidez should win. He might have to come from behind but the second half of the fight should see the steady drum of Benavidez’s offense pull away in a violent encounter. The pick is Benavidez by decision.
Rold Picks 2025: 1-0