A snarling David Benavidez was in a near-manic state, shouting at “regular” WBA lightweight champion David Morrell during a split-screen interview today to discuss their February 1 fight on PBC on Prime Video PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Code Gray For Benavidez?
If it was a hospital situation, the doctors or nurses would call in a code-grayresulting in security rushing to the room to subdue the angry patient. Benavidez had the same look for him when he pushed Morrell without warning during their face-off on December 17 at the media training in Miami. Morrell responded by throwing his belt at him.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) said pretty much the same things he’s said in previous interviews in the build-up to their Feb. 1 fight, once again fueling his unfounded suspicions of Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs). ) having used PEDs in the past, and saying he’s going to “break his face.” It’s the same proven thing that Benavidez said without anything fresh in terms of material.
The moderator, Ariel Helwani, did nothing to control the back and forth between the two fighters. Instead, he allowed Benavidez to talk to Morrell to stop him from talking. It was frustrating to watch and it showed that Helwani is new to it.
The choked and furious Benavidez broke things off by not shutting down to allow Morrell to speak. It would have helped if Helwani had been assertive and muzzled Benavidez by shutting down his ability to speak. He seemed insecure and needed to try to exert control by talking about Morrell.
What was interesting was how angry Benavidez was and how often he took large sips from his coffee cup. He looked nervous and angry and in a state of mind where he looked like he was ready to run and hide. This is a clear sign of concern.
Benavidez showed his fear because a person is like that, it means they are afraid and threatened. It is a human characteristic. It’s a good thing Morrell wasn’t in his presence because it could have ended in a punch. Since Morrell is the stronger, faster, younger and more talented of the two, it could have ended badly for Benavidez.
He seems terrified of Morrell, as he should be, because this person could destroy his career and destroy the massive mega-million payday that he can fight the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 rematch. There is a lot of money that Benavidez will lose if he is beaten by Morrell.
Morrell Unfazed
“You have no power, man. You have nothing,” he said David Morrell on the Ariel Helwani Channeltalking about David Benavidez, who was talking about him on the show, not letting him talk. “You can’t do it. I’ll teach you how to box.”
“Not anymore because we’re in their ** with the drug test,” he said David Benavidez when asked if he thinks Morrell uses PEDs. “When we did this camp, we made sure that there was no sneaky deal, and all the fighters were tested. There will be no sneaky shit here because we take care of it.”
“I’m clean. I don’t need it,” Morrell said.
“I’m going to catch him. I’m going to break his mouth,” Benavidez said.
“Every time, you talk the same,” Morrell said, pointing out that Benavidez is like a broken record, saying the same thing in every interview without having new material. “Say you’re the ‘Mexican Monster’. Come February 1st, I’ll kick your ass. I promise.”
“I imagined this a lot. I will go there and do my job, and this fight will not go the distance,” said Benavidez “I will go there and hurt David Morrell as much as possible. More than anyone has ever hurt him and more than anyone who will ever hurt them.
“He will always remember this fight, and he will never forget David Benavidez after this fight.”
“I’m 100% convinced that I will win this fight. I don’t care how I win this fight. If I knock him out or if it’s up to the judges, I know that I have all the conditions and skills to come out in summit on February 1,” Morrell said.
“All the talking is done, and I know you see me in your nightmares, p****. So, see you soon,” an angry Benavidez said in his final comments.
