Fight results

David Benavidez’s bouts are never dull, but his matchup against David Morrell is something special.

The Cuban fighter is versatile in the ring. He can press forward, seeking openings in his opponent’s defense, or box on the back foot. The most intriguing aspect of this fight will be seeing how Morrell chooses to approach it. Will he yield to Benavidez’s aggressive style and fight on the counter, or will he press forward himself, disrupting the American’s game plan?

The two fighters are nearly the same age—Benavidez is 28, and Morrell is 27. However, the difference in experience is significant.

Morrell turned professional in 2019, six years after Benavidez, who debuted in 2013. For Morrell, Benavidez represents his first major opponent, while the American has already faced and defeated elite names such as Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Demetrius Andrade, Caleb Plant, David Lemieux, and Anthony Dirrell.

Benavidez is a high-output fighter. He pressures his opponents with combinations, alternating attacks between the head and body. Despite his volume, his quality doesn’t suffer—his average accuracy over his last five fights is 39%.

Morrell throws fewer punches. While Benavidez relies on the cumulative effect of his attacks, Morrell relies on power. He capitalizes on his opponents’ mistakes, even when he’s advancing, and once he lands a clean shot, he doesn’t let them off the hook.

Both fighters have been equally active in recent years, with one fight in 2024 and two in 2023. However, the level of opposition they faced differs greatly.

Morrell defeated Falco, Agbeko, and Kalajdzic during this period. Meanwhile, Benavidez overcame Plant, Andrade, and Gvozdyk—an undeniably tougher lineup.

When it comes to one-punch knockout power, Morrell holds the edge. He hits hard, fast, and with excellent timing.

Benavidez’s style, on the other hand, focuses on breaking his opponents down. His goal is to inflict damage, drain their energy, and then finish them. While he’s not a pure power puncher, his relentless pressure often overwhelms his opponents.

However, Benavidez’s power in the light heavyweight division remains unproven. He’s had only one fight in this weight class—a bout against Gvozdyk, in which he neither staggered nor stopped his opponent.

Morrell has yet to face a serious test of his chin. Both fighters are presumed to have good durability, but Benavidez has been tested more extensively and has shown resilience.

For Morrell, this fight represents his first major test in terms of absorbing punches.

Interestingly, this will be Benavidez’s debut at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Morrell has already fought there, scoring a stoppage victory in 2023.

That said, this will be Benavidez’s fourth consecutive fight in Las Vegas, so he’s no stranger to the city.

The fighters clearly dislike each other. Their animosity is evident at every official event, with frequent scuffles, and at one point, Morrell even threw his belt at Benavidez.

Benavidez’s camp has also been provocative, questioning whether Morrell is evading doping tests and casting doubt on his compliance.

However, it’s unlikely that these mind games will affect either fighter in the ring. Both are consummate professionals, and the fight will be a long one, requiring careful pacing and tactical precision.

The stakes are high. The winner could earn a shot at the undisputed championship against the victor of the Bivol-Beterbiev clash. This means the bout will likely feature a mix of tactical exchanges and high-quality action.