Can someone tame David Benavidez? That’s the question many have asked and kept wondering as he racked up championships and knockouts. After finding a new motivation at 175, he continues to steer his career to winning ways. But David Morrell stands between him and his undisputed title dream. Can the challenger beat him? The boxing world is split in two, but he can take a leaf out of Leon Spinks’ first encounter with Muhammad Ali.
ShowBizz The Adult discussed the exciting Benavidez vs. Morrell fight on February 1. The American fighter has put his interim title on the line to cement his position and get used to the division’s vagaries. However, the boxing commentator believed the fight would parallel Ali vs. Spinks, where an unexpected challenger topples the champion with odds stacked against him.
Ali, then at 55-2, decided to gamble his world title against Spinks, then at 6-0, who was coming hot after winning the 1976 Olympics gold. While no one gave him a shot, Spinks bagged the win in a closely contested bout. However, Ali would later avenge his loss, knock Spinks’ front teeth out, and reckon his titles. For ShowBizz The Adult, Benavidez vs. Morrell was the perfect parallel.
In a video uploaded on his Instagram handle, the YouTuber said, “No one thought Spinks would win. Spinks was a problem… I’m constantly thinking about the Spinks fight because I’m like, it looks like David Morrell isn’t quite ready for David Benavidez. But he got the goods. So we’ll see.”
Morrell, at 11-0, similar to Benavidez, at 29-0, has carved out a reputation as an aggressive, hard-hitting puncher with a penchant for knockouts. The fight is billed as an entertainer. That’s not it. The interim champion has already expressed his desire to knock out the challenger.
David Benavidez, ready to break David Morrell’s mouth?
The Phoenix native appeared hot-headed in the kickoff press conference, where he made Morrell aware of his intentions. He wanted to dish out punishment at him for disrespecting his family. Benavidez, 27, said, “Morrell has been talking about me for a while and disrespecting me. He wanted to make it personal with me. So I’m personally going to break his mouth. That’ll give him something to remember me by.”
If Benavidez wins, he very well will be the next in line to challenge Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed crown. His debut at 175 against Oleksandr Gvozdyk showcased glimpses of promise but also some shortcomings, which he would want to iron out in his bout with Morrell. Whereas, the Puerto Rican fighter reigned supreme at 168 before eventually deciding to test his weapons at 175. It remains to be seen whether he has enough to do a Spinks against Benavidez.
