Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. says “regular” WBA lightweight champion David Morrell isn’t as talented as recent opponents David Benavidez, Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade. This view of Jose Sr. could explain why he chose Morrell for Benavidez to fight because he thinks he is a safe choice and not as good as Plant and Andrade.
Jose Sr. believes Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) lacks the experience and style to defeat his son, WBC 175 lb interim champion Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) when they potentially meet in early 2025 in his proposed combat. on the 25th of January.
Cuban Morrell is known for his technical ability and power. However, Benavidez Sr. says he saw no power from the 26-year-old Morrell in his recent 12-round unanimous decision win over former world lightweight title challenger Radivoje Kalajdzic on Aug. 3 at the BMO Arena of Los Angeles.
Morrell looked powerful in that fight, hurting the 33-year-old Kalajdzic several times with a single left hand to the head, but he couldn’t get away because he was focusing so much on single shots instead of unloading with a barrage of punches.
That’s how Artur Beterbiev knocked out Kalajdzic in the fifth round on May 4, 2019. Morrell could have gotten a shot in the third round, but he failed to follow Beterbiev’s plan. It’s an area Morrell will need to improve because he’s not likely to knock Benavidez out with a single punch like he did against fighters at 168.
Benavidez is there to get hit, but it’s going to take a flurry of heavy shots from Morrell to get the job done. He has the power to oust Benavidez and take his place as the mandatory WBC to challenge champion Beterbiev. He has to change his style for his fight next January.
“What I see is a lack of experience. David (Benavidez) throws a lot of combinations, a lot of punches, and Morrell throws a few punches. Not a lot, and I think David will try to press. Pressure, pressure, pressure, and not he’s never been pressured like this before,” Jose Benavidez Sr. said. MillCity Boxing about his belief David Morrell lacks the experience to defeat his son, David Benavidez, when they fight.
Benavidez is going to get hit with some big shots by Morrell if he walks, and it will be hard for him to land those punches if he puts them in a combo shape. That style Benavidez worked for him at super middleweight because of his massive cruiserweight frame.
As Lonnie B. says, “Benavidez is a cruiserweight who can make weight” at 175 and 168. He’s not a natural for those two divisions. He’s just young enough to still make weight. It’s a good argument why all four sanctioning bodies should have 10 lb rehydration limits or return fight day weights.
When there were weigh-ins on fight day, there weren’t many weight bullies in the sport because they couldn’t do it. Today, fighters who use weight manipulation to fight two or three divisions below their natural size are able to have successful careers that they would not have if they were forced to fight in their natural divisions.
“I think he’s really good when he’s in control, but when you have somebody coming and attacking, throwing uppercuts, body shots and all that. He’s never faced that before,” Benavidez Sr. said. that Morrell has never fought someone who attacked him like Benavidez.
Benavidez has never fought a guy with the kind of devastating power that Morrell possesses. It will be interesting to see how well he handles being hit by him with his unique shots. Even if Morrell doesn’t change his style, he will for Benavidez.
“We’ve faced a lot of people like Morrell. I think Caleb Plant is a better fighter than Morrell. I think ‘Boo Boo’ (Demetrius Andrade) is a better fighter. I think both of these fighters are better at this point right now (than Morrell ).That doesn’t mean he’s not good. Morrell is getting better every time he fights, but I think these two fighters I mentioned are more talented and have more experience,” said Jose Sr. .
Plant and Andrade don’t have the chin to defeat Morrell. They would not be able to withstand Morrell’s punches without being knocked down. Benavidez stopped Andrade in the sixth round, and he’s not a big puncher. Journeyman Demond Nicholson dropped Andrade. Plant was dropped twice by fringe rival Trevor McCumby in his last fight on September 14, and he is no puncher Morrell.
