Porter Picks Benavidez To Beat Morrell – ‘Experience And Strength’

January 28, 2025
2 weeks
Porter Picks Benavidez To Beat Morrell - 'Experience And Strength'

Shawn Porter has picked David Benavidez to beat David Morrell Jr

The pair will square off on February 1 in one of the biggest fights in the light heavyweight division. The WBC has already said that the winner will become mandatory for either Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol. The latter two boxers will face off on February 22 in a rematch of their Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship clash. Benavidez enters the fight with a unanimous decision victory over Oleksandr Gvozdyk in his last bout. It was his first fight in the weight class, as he moved up from 168 pounds after failing to get the Canelo Alvarez fight.

He is undefeated with the 29-0 record, as he has promised to break Morrell Jr.’s mouth. Morrell is also undefeated with the 11-0 record. He also moved up to 175 pounds in his last fight, which he won in a unanimous decision against Radivoje Kalajdzic. The Cuban has far less experience than Benavidez in the professional ranks.

But he is a seasoned amateur boxer, often seen as one of the most dangerous boxers in the 168-pound division. However, 175 pounds is a different kettle of fish. Porter simply felt that the experience levels between the pair would be enough to give Benavidez the win. But boxing is a sport where anything can happen, especially in a heavier weight class where one punch can change the fight.

Porter Reacts

“That’s 50-50 right there. If anything, 55-45 for Benavidez. I love David vs. David. I love everything about the fight. The thing David Benavidez has over Morrell is experience and true strength. Both of those guys are big guys, but I think David Benavidez is a more natural 175-pounder. When you’re in a competitive fight that you know is going to go 12 rounds, of course, you’re prepared for the 12.

“But when you have had that experience of having resistance at different points in the fight, it’s nothing new to you. Morrell has not had resistance [at the pro level]. His fight with ‘Hot Rod’ [Radivoje Kalajdzic, that was a different kind of resistance. That was the kind of resistance of somebody trying to stay away from you, and him not being able to catch up to him,” Porter said 

One fighter will lose their undefeated record, meaning plenty is on the line. The loser also knows that any loss almost rules out a Canelo Alvarez fight. Canelo has been accused of ducking both these fighters, so it is paramount that they continue winning. 

Rest Of The Card

Brandon Figueroa vs. Stephen Fulton

Isaac Cruz vs. Angel Fierro

Mirco Cuello vs. Christian Olivo Barreda

Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr. vs. Jeison Rosario

Yoenli Hernandez vs. Angel Ruiz Astorga

Kaipo Gallegos vs. Leonardo Padilla

Jose Benavidez Jr. vs. Danny Rosenberger

Daniel Blancas vs. Juan Barajas

Curmel Moton vs. Frank Zaldivar

Gabriela Tellez vs. Abril Anguiano

John Easter vs. Joseph Aguilar

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