Home Columns David Benavidez vs David Morrell – Results & Post-Fight Report

David Benavidez vs David Morrell – Results & Post-Fight Report

Benavidez survives knockdown, beats Morrell

By
Jonathan Nagioff
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David Benavidez secured a unanimous decision win over David Morrell in Las Vegas Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
David Benavidez secured a unanimous decision win over David Morrell in Las Vegas Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions

David Benavidez survived a knockdown to overcome David Morrell by unanimous decision in their light heavyweight grudge match in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) was dropped in the 11th round, but largely dominated Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) throughout a pulsating battle at the T-Mobile Arena, reflected by two scores of 115-111 and another at 118-108, with ‘The Mexican Monster’ cementing his position as the WBC mandatory challenger to undisputed champion, Artur Beterbiev.

Benavidez, who saw off Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June in his debut at light heavyweight, poured the pressure on from the opener, connecting with some solid body shots, although Morrell was causing him problems with his slick counters and angles.

The pair were trading back-and-forth in almost equal measure, with Benavidez getting the better of the early exchanges, although he did have to navigate through a cut which opened above his left eye in the third.

Despite a convincing fourth, the Phoenix man shipped a thunderous right hand, which appeared to briefly wobble him towards the end of the round.

Morrell floored Benavidez in the 11th round Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
Morrell floored Benavidez in the 11th round Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions

The 28-year-old was unrelenting though with his assaults and was in command by the halfway mark.

Sensing the fight was slipping from his grasp, Morrell let his hands go, countering effectively amid continuous Benavidez attacks.

After a clear Benavidez round in the 10th, the Cuban found his range in the 11th, connecting with a sharp right hand, which had Benavidez off balance.

‘The Mexican Monster’s gloves touched the canvas and referee Thomas Taylor ruled it a knockdown.

Benavidez responded by pinning his foe on the ropes and letting his hands go with vigour right up until the bell.

With Taylor looking to separate the pair, Morrell lashed out with a right hand after the bell and he was subsequently deducted a point.

The 27-year-old southpaw needed a knockout in the final round, but despite letting his hands go, he couldn’t find the telling punches, as Benavidez surged to a 30th straight victory.

After a build-up filled with bad blood, both men embraced at the final bell, with Benavidez claiming the WBC interim and WBA ‘regular’ light heavyweight titles and lining himself up for a shot at the winner of the rematch between Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol on February 22.

“Big shout out to Morrell,” Benavidez said in his post-fight interview.

“He took a tough task.

“I knew he was going to be a tough fighter.

“I thought he was going to hit a bit harder.”

Morrell called for a rematch with Benavidez post-fight.

“I’m not done, hell no!” he said.

“I’m good. I’m happy. This moment feels great.

“I want to fight him again.

“I know I can win [against] him.”

Fulton beats Figueroa again to become world champion

Stephen Fulton captured the WBC featherweight world title, beating Brandon Figueroa for a second time.

Fulton (23-1, 8 KOs) secured a majority decision over Figueroa (25-2-1, 19 KOs) to unify the super bantamweight division in November 2021, but at the weight class above Fulton put on a much more convincing display.

The Philadelphia man dominated throughout, countering effectively and limiting his rival’s attacks, with slick defence and skills.

‘The Heartbreaker’ rallied late on with some good body work, but Fulton never looked in serious trouble and ran out a deserved winner with two scores of 116-112 and another at 117-111 to become a two-time world champion.

Cruz sees off Fierro

Isaac Cruz won the all-Mexican battle with a unanimous decision victory over Angel Fierro (23-3-2, 18 KOs).

Cruz (27-3-1, 18 KOs) ran out a winner with scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94, but there could be calls for a rematch after a thrilling battle.

Remaining Undercard

Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr (22-1, 18 KOs) stopped former world champion Jeison Rosario (24-5-2, 18 KOs) in eight rounds in their middleweight battle, while Jose Benavidez Jr (29-3-1, 20 KOs) bounced back from defeat to Jermall Charlo last time out with a fifth round stoppage over Danny Rosenberger (20-10-4, 10 KOs).

At featherweight, Mirco Cuello remained unbeaten with a 10th and final round TKO over Christian Olivo Barreda (22-2-1, 9 KOs) and also at 126lbs Gabriela Telez (4-0, 1 KO) secured a majority decision against Abril Anguiano (4-1, 2 KOs).

Cuban prospect, Yoenli Hernandez (7-0, 7 KOs) notched a fourth round stoppage over Angel Ruiz Astorga (18-4-1, 13 KOs) and Daniel Blancas (12-0, 5 KOs) improved his record with a unanimous decision victory over Juan Barajas (11-1-2, 7 KOs).

Floyd Mayweather-promoted prospect, Curmel Moton (7-0, 6 KOs) halted Frank Zaldivar (5-2, 3 KOs) in the third round and John Easter (8-0, 7 KOs), also under the Mayweather banner, saw off Joseph Aguilar (6-3-1, 3 KOs) on points.

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