Oct 94 min read

David Benavidez vs. David Morrell: What Else Did You Expect?

10/09/2024

Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions

Signed. Sealed. Delivered.

In a surprising announcement that has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, David Benavidez announced via social media that his next fight will be against his longtime rival, David Morrell. Benavidez broke the news with a statement that ignited fans’ anticipation, saying:

“There was a lot of names on the table but I wanted to give my fans the best fight possible. I reached out to David Morrell and his team to make this happen and we got the contract done. This fight really gonna be a banger!!! Two of the best in the division and two titles on the line, LFG!!!!! Date & Location to be announced shortly.”

While a specific venue and date have yet to be confirmed, the fight is reportedly being considered for either January 25 or February 1, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. And from the looks of it, fans can expect an early showdown between two of the sport’s most dangerous fighters.

Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions

Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) and Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) have been on a collision course for years, dating back to their time at super middleweight. The idea of the two facing off was first discussed as early as 2021, when Benavidez claimed that Morrell had initially declined a fight due to his relative inexperience. At the time, Morrell had only four fights under his belt. However, with both men now establishing themselves as legitimate threats in the light heavyweight division, there’s no longer a question of readiness.

Now, two undefeated warriors in their primes are set to finally meet. Benavidez, 27, and Morrell, 26, are both coming off career-defining unanimous decision victories in their light heavyweight debuts—Benavidez against former world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Morrell against Radivoje Kalajdzic.

The timing couldn’t be better. Both men have utterly dominated their competition throughout their careers. Each fighter is eager to carve out their own legacy, bypassing the allure of chasing boxing’s golden ticket—Canelo Alvarez. In a sport where many major bouts are put off for years, this fight feels like an anomaly. It wasn’t marinated or dragged out; it was made because both men wanted it.

Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions

While the announcement caught many off guard, in hindsight, maybe it shouldn’t have. Benavidez has been transparent about his ambition to fight the best and prove himself as the most dominant force in boxing. In a May 2024 interview with Brunch Boxing, Benavidez laid out his intentions in no uncertain terms:

“I’m going to fight the best of the best, and I’m going to be the most dominant champion when I get those belts.”

He specifically mentioned Morrell as one of the fighters he planned to face at light heavyweight, alongside division elites Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev:

“At 175, the fights that really interest me are Bivol, Beterbiev, and then I see David Morrell just came up. So we’ve got those three fights there. Those are great fights. Those are fights that we are definitely going to have happen in the future. We’ve got some great fights lined up at 175.”

Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions

For Benavidez, this bout has been a long time in the making. He’s wanted to fight Morrell for years, as he revealed in that same interview:

“We tried to fight him when we fought Ronald Ellis… It’s going to be an even better fight at 175. Now that we’re both here at this weight class. He’s making more of a name for himself. I’m making more of a name for myself as well, so it’s going to be a better fight at 175.”

Benavidez has stayed true to his word, and now the fight is official. Two of the most ferocious young fighters in the sport will meet, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

This fight isn’t just about settling a rivalry; it’s about legacy. Benavidez has been under the bright lights before. He’s faced—and dominated—big names like Caleb Plant, Demetrius Andrade, Anthony Dirrell, and Gvozdyk. But in Morrell, he may be facing his toughest challenge yet.

Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions

Morrell, despite having fewer fights, has proven to be a force of nature in the ring. He possesses a rare blend of power, speed, and technical skill, and his rapid rise through the ranks has been nothing short of impressive. Like Benavidez, Morrell isn’t looking for an easy path; he’s looking to beat the best.

With two titles on the line and both fighters boasting undefeated records, this bout promises to be an all-out war. The outcome will likely shape the future of the light heavyweight division for years to come.

In the end, boxing fans are getting what they deserve: a clash between two of the sport’s most exciting, talented, and dangerous fighters. Benavidez said it best himself:

“When the bright lights come out, I always show up.”

Come early 2025, the bright lights will be shining in Las Vegas. What else did you expect?