David Benavidez and David Morrell co-starred in a thrilling light-heavyweight clash, with the former coming out on top via unanimous decision.
It was each man’s second fight in the division following a move up from super-middleweight. Benavidez stepped through the ropes a favourite and proved those backing him right with an extreme workrate that saw him up on the cards with no arguments from Morrell’s side.
Though he doesn’t often deliver one-punch stoppages, Benavidez has 24 knockouts from 30 wins due to his relentless pressure, shot selection and combinations.
Morrell, who displayed the appropriate face markings after twelve rounds with such a puncher, said that he wasn’t notably hurt over the course of the fight.
“It wasn’t like he was hitting me that hard either way, I wasn’t feeling his punches a lot more than he was feeling mine … I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy fight. I know [he] was strong, but no, at the time I was there, I didn’t feel like he hurt me with any kind of blow.”
“I know I can [beat] him. Maybe not this night, but next time, 100%.”
It was the Cuban who scored the sole knockdown despite being on the losing end of the decision, however Benavidez tripped to cause it and shrugged it off well.
Should Beterbiev win for a second time, the fight may be ordered immediately, however if Bivol manages to reverse the result a trilogy may be discussed.
At 28-years-old, Benavidez – who once again showed a great gas tank and answered all questions asked of him by a dangerous southpaw – will be content to bide his time if that is the case, and fans won’t mind if he continues to book such entertaining match-ups in the interim.
