David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr.

David Benavidez vs. David Morrell: Card Preview & Predictions

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Premiere Boxing Champions is bringing out the big guns on February 1st with a card featuring light heavyweight champions, David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr., finally crossing paths. The event includes a co-main event that features a long-awaited rematch for featherweight gold. Interim champion Brandon Figueroa takes on Stephen Fulton inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

WBC Interim & WBA World Light Heavyweight Championship

David Benavidez (C) vs. David Morrell Jr. (C)

The time for talk is over. The highly anticipated grudge match will feature WBC Interim World Light Heavyweight Champion, David Benavidez (29-0-0, 24 KOs). He will face WBA Light Heavyweight Champion, David Morrell Jr. (11-0-0, 9 KOs). Benavidez, 28, is only one fight in the light heavyweight division after moving up in weight. He stacked impressive wins over Caleb Plant, Demetrius Andrade, and Anthony Dirrell at super middleweight. Morrell Jr., 27, now faces the toughest test of his career. He has been relatively untested at just eleven professional fights.

Like many of David Benavidez’s fights, the challenger will get off to a hot start in the opening rounds. The talented Cuban boxer possesses better footwork and punch selection, and will look to get ahead on the judges’ scorecards. Benavidez will benefit from his experience and maintain his routine approach of applying constant pressure. He will cut the ring off while his opponent is forced to stick and move around the ring. Benavidez risks getting caught with a big shot from Morrell Jr. in the earlier rounds. He aims to corner the talented young fighter. Morrell Jr. will struggle to gain Benavidez’s respect through his punching power. He will be constantly on the back foot, circling the ring. David lacks experience, and it will become evident mid-to-later rounds as Benavidez increases his work rate. Morrell Jr. needs to capitalize on his explosiveness and go for broke in the earlier rounds. Scoring a knockdown early would pay dividends on the scorecards. This is because the odds will likely shift in Benavidez’s favor later. Benavidez will have Morrell Jr. figured out in the final rounds of the fight. Morrell Jr. will fight in survival mode in these closing rounds.

Prediction: David Benavidez via Majority Decision

WBC World Featherweight Championship

Brandon Figueroa (IC) vs. Stephen Fulton 2

A rematch three years in the making is in store for fight fans. WBC Interim Featherweight champion Brandon Figueroa (25-1-1, 19 KOs) seeks revenge against Stephen Fulton (22-1-0, 8 KOs). This showdown will happen in the co-main event of this illustrious card. The first meeting between Figueroa and Fulton was razor close. Fulton got the edge via a majority decision (116-112, 116-112, 114-114). However, things have changed three years later. Fulton had a shaky recent performance in his fight against Carlos Castro. Meanwhile, Figueroa maintains an active three-fight win streak over impressive names at Featherweight. The 28-year-old is three fights into his run at Featherweight compared to 30-year-old Fulton’s questionable lone performance against Castro.

That said, Figueroa holds the advantage heading into this WBC World Featherweight championship clash. The younger, fresher, and longer fighter Figueroa can dictate the action inside the ring. Fight pundits question if Fulton’s chin is durable now. They are worried after his devastating knockout loss to Naoya Inoue in July 2023. There is also concern about his recent knockdown against Carlos Castro in September 2024. Figueroa is now at a more suitable weight. He is expected to cut the ring off from Fulton. He will execute his offense of tight combination punches inside the phone booth. Fulton’s path to success revolves around his ability to circle the ring and avoid the ropes. The interim champion Figueroa will aim to exhaust the gas tank of the outside boxer. He will use short body punches during the clinch and press against the smaller fighter when against the ropes. Given Fulton’s recent performances, expect Figueroa to score at least one knockdown on Fulton throughout twelve championship rounds.

Prediction: Brandon Figueroa via Unanimous Decision

Remaining Fights on Benavidez-Morrell Card

Main Card:

  • Isaac Cruz (26-3-1) vs. Angel Fierro (22-2-2)
  • Jesus Ramos (21-1-0) vs. Jeison Rosario (23-4-2)
  • Mirco Cuello (14-0-0) vs. Christian Olivo (22-1-1)

Prelims Card:

  • Yoenli Hernandez (6-0-0) vs. Angel Ruiz (18-3-1)
  • Jose Benavidez Jr. (28-3-1) vs. Danny Rosenberger (19-9-4)
  • Kaipo Gallegos (7-0-1) vs. Leonardo Padilla (24-6-1)
  • Daniel Blancas (11-0-0) vs. Juan Barajas (11-0-2)
  • Curmel Moton (6-0-0) vs. Frank Zaldivar (5-1-0)
  • John Easter (7-0-0) vs. Joseph Aguilar (6-2-1)
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