Benavidez Pushes Morrell, Prompting Dramatic Belt Throw

David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. were involved in a brawl during an intense public workout before their February 1 clash.
The fight takes place from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at light heavyweight. Benavidez enters the fight with a victory against Oleksandr Gvozdyk. He beat the ageing Gvozdyk via a unanimous decision in an average performance. However, it was his first fight at the weight class. He also revealed he injured his hand during the bout, which may have prevented him from getting the stoppage. Benavidez still won the WBC Interim Light Heavyweight Title, putting him in a mandatory position to face the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev. Beterbiev rematches Dmitry Bivol for undisputed on February 22, having already beaten him to win all the belts.
Morrell is also in an interim position for undisputed. He made his debut as a light heavyweight against Radivoje Kalajdzic. The Cuban secured a majority decision win to become the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight Champion. Morrell is also undefeated like Benavidez, meaning someone’s record must end. They are both knockout artists, as fans can expect a thrilling fight. During their kick-off presser, the two exchanged verbals. Benavidez threatened to break Morrell’s mouth, while the latter was more than ready for the challenge. This presser was no different. Benavidez pushed Morrell in the face off, as the latter threw his belt in return.
Benavidez’s Quotes
“I don’t care about his trash talk. I’m ready for February 1. I’m super focused on one objective, and that’s inflicting damage on David Morrell. [And] I’m coming for the knockout. This is all more fuel to the flame to go in there and do what I have to do. Now I’m really gonna put a beating on him. This guy is trying to act hard. It is what it is. On February 1, none of this matters. I’m gonna break his mouth. I got the experience, I got the belt and I got everything I need. It’s good he’s got the Cubans with him today, because when he gets knocked out, they’re all gonna leave him.
“He better do what he says he’s gonna do. We’re gonna see on February 1. I’m glad he’s talking about this being an easy fight. We’ve been in the gym and we’re working hard. When I get in the ring, I’m gonna be 100%. Everyone better get ready. They all say the same nonsense before they get in the ring with me. Then they get in there, and it’s a different story. The thing about this is that it’s not fake. We don’t like each other. We have everything we need for a great fight. Nobody is gonna stop me. This is my year and this is the era of David Benavidez,” Benavidez said
Morrell Jr.’s Comments
“He didn’t respect me at our first press conference, so I’m giving it back to him. This is my time. I don’t need to show him any respect. He looks like RoboCop in there. He’s got no head movement or anything. This is really an easy fight for me. I’m gonna show him the Cuban boxing skills. I feel great and I’m very excited to be here in Miami, because it always feels like home. I can’t wait for this moment on February 1. “I’m 100% focused in training camp and I’ve got great support from my team and my family down in Texas with me.
“This is the fight of my life. A win can change everything for me. This is my moment. I’m going to have Cuba on my mind when I enter the ring. I’m fighting for my family and for Cuba. Everything in my career has led to this. I have to be aggressive and make sure that I make my people proud and show that Cuba is number one. On February 1, I’ll make sure everybody knows who the real boogeyman is in this division. Everyone says things, but I’m trying to stay even keeled and work on the fundamentals. If I do that, then I’m gonna succeed,” Morrell Jr.
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