David Benavidez and David Morrell are just hours away from one of the most intriguing match-ups of the year.
Formerly at super-middleweight, both men recently moved up to light-heavy and won their debuts to set up this battle of the undefeated contenders. Benavidez has 24 stoppages from 29 wins and is a master at swarming and overwhelming opponents with his incredible work-rate.
Cuba’s Morrell likely has the harder one-shot power between the two, having stopped nine of his 11 opponents. His lack of experience in later rounds, however, may be something Benavidez looks to exploit.
Speaking to FightHype, two-weight world champion Tim Bradley first praised Morrell.
“He has skills, he has punching power. He’s a serious puncher … It’s gonna be a helluva fight. If Morrell can stay concentrated and watch, rinse and repeat his gameplan – attack that body, use his ability, avoid getting trapped on the ropes, staying in the centre of the ring, and stay consistent cause that pressure’s gonna come – he can win the fight.”
He then looked to the strengths of the more experienced Benavidez.
“If Benavidez presses, gets past and escapes without being knocked down or hurt in the first half of the fight, if his pressure can force Morrell on the back foot, push a high pace, let his combinations fly and really make it uncomfortable for him I think he can win the fight on the back stretch. All in all, I think Benavidez is gonna have to come back from behind in order to win this fight. I think Morrell has great boxing ability to operate and control the action up till sixth. He doesn’t have that late round experience.”
Finally, Bradley backed Benavidez, but only by a razor thin margin.
“I’m going with Benavidez just on experience alone, but put a gone to my head I would say I don’t know. It’s a very, very close match-up.”
