David Benavidez and David Morrell clash tonight in an extremely well-matched battle. Saul ‘Canelo‘ Alvarez – who both men have called out in the past – has given his verdict on the match-up.
Neither David managed to land the Canelo fight at super-middleweight – with Paulie Malignaggi saying the champion outright ‘ducked’ them – so both decided a move up to light-heavy was the best career move.
Benavidez made his debut against former champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June 2024, winning by unanimous decision – just his fifth career win that came via points rather than stoppage.
Morrell had his first 175lbs bout two months later against Radivoje Kalajdzic. The big punching Cuban won over the distance, becoming just the third man to best Kalajdzic after Marcus Browne, controversially, and Artur Beterbiev.
Both will put their undefeated records on the line in this Las Vegas main event, that will see Benavidez step through the ropes as favourite but with many in the industry backing the power and size of Morrell.
Speaking to IFL TV, Alvarez gave both men the same chance of victory.
“It’s gonna be a good fight. 50/50 fight.”
As well as being one of the most intriguing bouts of the year, there is added jeopardy in the form of both the WBC Interim belt, held by Benavidez, and Morrell’s WBA Regular Title. It means the winner will be first in line with two of the four sanctioning bodies to face the winner of the undisputed rematch between Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol later this month.
