Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. is happy that David Morrell is in an altercation with his son, David Benavidez, today during his media training in Miami. Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) didn’t want to shake Benavidez’s hand during their face-off, and that angered him enough to shove the Cuban.
(Credit: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions)
Jose Jr. he outworked Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) for the face-off incident, and promised he would knock out “regular” WBA lightweight champion Morrell in their fight on February 1 at PBC. Prime Video PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Morrell might be a little too good for Benavidez and could knock him out if he can land as many as his last opponent, Oleksandr Gvozdyk, did in their June 15 fight. Gvozdyk landed 223 punches on Benavidez. It won’t be fair if he lets a Morrell land that many shots. Morrell is possibly the greatest puncher in the 175 lb division, and he destroys the fighters who stand in front of him, trying to slug him.
The only reason Morrell didn’t stop his last opponent, “Hot Rod” Radivoje Kalajdzic, on August 3rd is because he was on the move all night, making it difficult for him to land more than one punch at a time .
Trainer Discussion
“This is what you expect when you have two young fighters, strong and hungry. This is what we expect,” said Jose Benavidez Sr. Fight Hub TVreacts to the altercation between David Benavidez and David Morrell during today’s media workout in Miami.
“I like what David Morrell says. He says he’s fighting with Robocop. Keep thinking that because you’re going to see a tornado on the day of the fight. You’re going to fuck yourself. That’s what’s going to happen. He says that David (Benavidez ) didn’t fight anyone. Who the fuck did you fight?
“There are levels to it. David is on another level. David (Benavidez) was trying to shake his hand. He was trying to be polite, but he (Morrell) was mad because he was nervous. That’s what happens. He doesn’t know what to do at this point.
“He’s never been at this level. I hope he comes focused because on the day of the fight, David (Benavidez) is going to have all the people behind him, and he’s going to feel it. So, I hope he (Morrell) takes it well. He’s never been in this kind of fight.”
Cuban connection
Benavidez Jr. he is right that Morrell has never fought at this professional level. In any case, in the amateurs, he fought twice for Cuban Olympic gold medal July Cesar La Cruzwhich is better than anyone Benavidez has fought during his professional career, even better than Benavidez. Morrell has more than enough experience to defeat Benavidez. Morrell also fought the outstanding Cuban Olsleys Iglesias during the amateurs, and is also a better fighter than anyone Benavidez has fought in the pros.
“David is on another level. David is in a different race. David is going to hit me. I guarantee you a knockout,” said Jose Sr., promising that his son, Benavidez, will knock out Morrell.
Jose Sr. put a lot of pressure on Benavidez, guarantee a knockout against Morrell. This is a better fighter than he has yet faced, and he is also a bigger puncher.
Benavidez said he couldn’t punch like he normally does in his last fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk in his 175 debut due to injuries affecting both hands, but he’s never been a KO artist during the his career. His thing is to land a huge amount of shots to get his knockouts, but he can’t do that against Morrell without getting cut.
Benavidez vs. Gvozdyk Punch Stats
– Oleksandr Gvozdyk: 223 of 675 for 33%
– David Benavidez: 270 of 749 for 36%
