Benavidez vs Morrell: Fight Analysis
By Ralph Rimpell
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 30 Jan 2025
On Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, two of the best light heavyweights in the world will collide. Interim WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) will face WBA “regular” light heavyweight champion David Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) in what is set to be one of the biggest fights of the year.
Benavidez: A Feared and Avoided Contender
Benavidez, a former two-time WBC super middleweight (168 lbs) champion, is known for his relentless pressure, volume punching, and ability to break down opponents. However, he has faced criticism throughout his career. Some argue that his level of opposition has been inferior, which, in this writer’s opinion, is an unfair assessment. Benavidez has fought and defeated the best opponents willing to face him, including Anthony Dirrell, David Lemieux, Caleb Plant, Demetrius Andrade, and Oleksandr Gvozdyk—all of whom are current or former world champions.
Another point of contention is that Benavidez is a big fighter who should be competing in a higher weight class, such as cruiserweight (200 lbs). However, like any other boxer, he fights at the weight class that gives him the best advantage. As long as he makes weight—whether 168 lbs or 175 lbs, depending on the contracted limit—any criticism of his size is unfounded.
Morrell: The Rising Cuban Star
Many in the boxing world believe that Morrell is the man to hand Benavidez his first defeat. A former top Cuban amateur fighter, Morrell has quickly risen through the professional ranks since his debut in 2019. Despite having only 11 professional fights, he has already won two world titles:
• Vacant interim WBA super middleweight championship in just his third professional fight
• Elevated to full WBA “regular” super middleweight champion by his fifth fight
• Captured the WBA “regular” light heavyweight title in August 2024
• Despite his lack of experience compared to Benavidez, Morrell is seen as a serious threat due to his athleticism, movement, and technical ability.
A Fight Years in the Making
For the past two years, fans have called for this fight, and now that it’s finally happening, both sides are accusing the other of trying to avoid the matchup. Boxing experts, writers, and fans are split on the outcome, with some confidently picking Morrell to dethrone Benavidez, while others believe Benavidez’s experience and skill will prove too much for the Cuban.
Keys to Victory
How Morrell Can Defeat Benavidez
Morrell is widely regarded as the more athletic fighter, which means he must be in the best shape of his life and prepared to go a hard 12 rounds. To win, Morrell must:
✅ Utilize a strong jab and constant movement to avoid Benavidez’s heavy punches
✅ Use angles and avoid standing directly in front of Benavidez
✅ Pick his moments to engage, throwing punches in spurts to earn Benavidez’s respect without going toe-to-toe
✅ Be the first to land but always get out of harm’s way
✅ Avoid looking for a knockout—instead, focus on winning rounds and disrupting Benavidez’s rhythm
✅ Follow a Roy Jones Jr.-style blueprint, similar to how Jones defeated James Toney, by being elusive, fast, and unpredictable
How Benavidez Can Defeat Morrell
Benavidez has stated that he is injury-free for this fight, unlike in his last bout against Gvozdyk. To secure victory, he must:
✅ Do what he does best—throw high-volume combinations and attack Morrell’s body
✅ Cut off the ring effectively and apply constant pressure
✅ Use smart defense and avoid unnecessary exchanges early
✅ Wear Morrell down over the course of the fight
✅ Time Morrell’s entries, landing counters to take away his speed advantage
Legacy on the Line
The winner of this fight will be the one who executes their game plan more effectively. If Benavidez wins, he will silence critics who claim he has faced inferior or physically smaller opponents, as Morrell is neither small nor unproven. On the other hand, if Morrell wins, some may argue that Benavidez was simply exposed when facing an elite fighter.
Regardless of the outcome, this fight promises to be a high-stakes, action-packed war.
Prediction: Benavidez by Stoppage in 7 Rounds
While Morrell has the tools to make this a competitive fight, this writer predicts that Benavidez will stop Morrell in the seventh round in a thrilling, all-action battle.
On February 1st, we find out who the real king of the light heavyweight division is.
Boxing Notes
Reports are Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney have agreed to a rematch after their first fight was a ruled a “no contest” due to Garcia testing positive for ostarine an illegal substance (PED). Garcia was suspended for 1 year. Both Garcia and Haney will have interim bouts before the rematch. Garcia must submit to drug testing. Haney had started a court action suing Garcia for battery, fraud, and Breach of contract. Garcia counter sued. It seems as though both their grievances will be settled in a boxing ring instead of a court house. Better these two fighters fight in the ring and generate money as oppose to being charged exorbitant billable hours by their respective Attorneys for litigation and/or being liable for Judgment if the Judge rules in the other Partee’s favor…Reports are Canelo vs Crawford is set for September 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, there are some rumors they instead of both fighters taking interim fights the two could fight in May 2025. Let’s see what happens.
***Ralph Rimpell is a writer based out of New York and is a Boxing Correspondent for Philboxing.com. Ralph holds an undergraduate degree from City University of New York. He has been a Boxing Writer for over ten years having written for several top boxing websites on the World Wide Web. Before becoming a writer, Ralph's passion was for professional wrestling until he realized professional wrestling was entertainment and not a real sport. It was at that time the 1984 US Olympic team made up of future stars such as Evander Holyfield, Meldrick Taylor, Pernell Whitaker, etc. entered the professional ranks and signed with promotional outfit Main Events.It was also at that time a young exciting Heavyweight originally hailing from Brooklyn named Mike Tyson also turned professional and became the face of boxing. Young boxing fan Ralph just couldn't get enough of boxing as a large part of it was being broadcast on "free TV". As time went on, Ralph felt boxing writers were not being forthcoming with their boxing coverage, opinion pieces, interviews, etc. So Ralph decided to write an article and submitted it to a Boxing website thinking it would be deleted and ignored by the Editor. To Ralph's surprise his article was posted on their website and the readers embraced it. The rest is history.
"I thank God for the Internet because it has created opportunities for writers like myself who likely would not have been given an opportunity to write for print publications. I hope someday soon to expand my role in Boxing on different levels." -- Ralph Rimpell
Contact Writer: RLuvsboxing@aol.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ralph Rimpell.
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