David Benavidez proved his worth in the light-heavyweight division with a unanimous decision win over David Morrell. The fight showed why Benavidez is called "El Monstruo" as he put on a relentless performance.
Benavidez, who moved up from super-middleweight, came into the fight as the favorite. He lived up to expectations with his extreme workrate, smart shot selection, and powerful combinations. Benavidez has 24 knockouts from 30 wins, and his performance against Morrell showed why he's such a feared opponent.
Morrell didn't make it easy for Benavidez. He scored a knockdown early in the fight when Benavidez tripped. But Benavidez shook it off quickly and got back to work. By the end of the twelve rounds, Morrell's face showed the marks of a tough battle.
After the fight, Morrell said:
"It wasn't like he was hitting me that hard either way, I wasn't feeling his punches a lot more than he was feeling mine … I know I can [beat] him. Maybe not this night, but next time, 100%."
Despite Morrell's confidence, Benavidez's win was clear. The undefeated fighter proved he has a great gas tank and can be dangerous against southpaw opponents. At just 28 years old, Benavidez answered all questions about his move up to light-heavyweight.
Benavidez now sits at the top of both the WBC and WBA rankings. His next fight could be against the winner of the undisputed light-heavyweight rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. If Beterbiev wins, we might see an immediate fight with Benavidez. But if Bivol turns the tables, there's a chance we could see a trilogy in the making.
Whatever happens next, Benavidez has made it clear he's a force to be reckoned with in the light-heavyweight division.
