David Benavidez vows to break David Morrell Jr.’s mouth

If David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. promises come true, both men might find themselves knocked out on the canvas. They don’t lack assertiveness.

The undefeated light heavyweights vow to hurt each other in their fight on Feb. 1 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Benavidez’s boastfulness usually results in a fiery rage of threats and insults with his counterpart. The first promotional press conference between the two fighters was no different. The Phoenix, Ariz., native flaunted his multiple title belts as they met face to face. 

The youngest super middleweight champion will put his undefeated record (29-0) and his interim WBA light heavyweight title on the line. Benavidez, 27, didn’t take lightly the insults Morrell said about Benavidez’s family.

El Monstruo vows to defend his family and beat Morrell. 

Benavidez cruises

“Morrell has been talking about me for a while and disrespecting me,” Benavidez said. “He wanted to make it personal with me, so I’m personally going to break his mouth. That’ll give him something to remember me by.”

David Benavidez spent the majority of his career cruising through the super middleweight division. He defeated Caleb Plant in 12 epic rounds to secure the WBC title belt.

He knocked out Demetrius Andrade, whom many believed was his biggest test, in four rounds. Looking for a challenge, he decided to move up to the light heavyweight division. 

In his light heavyweight debut, the 6-foot-2 fighter impressively beat Oleksandr Gvozdyk to claim the light heavyweight championship. As Benavidez strives for his 30th consecutive win without defeat, he wants to prove that Morrell doesn’t belong in the ring with him. 

“These are the type of fighters I want to fight,” he said. “I want to face guys who think that they’re going to go in there and knock me out. He’s never fought anyone like me and I’m going to show everyone there’s levels to this.”

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Morrell (11-0) has been waiting for this fight for a long time. He understands the magnitude of fighting Benavidez. The Santa Clara, Cuba, native claims he will knock out Benavidez. 

The 6-foot-1 southpaw won the vacant WBA light heavyweight title when he defeated Radivoje Kalajdzic by unanimous decision earlier this year. Moreover, after winning the vacant WBA super middleweight title in this third professional fight, he successfully defended his belt six consecutive times. 

‘I’m getting the knockout’

 “I’m getting the knockout, 100 percent,” Morrell said. “He’s all talk and no bite. He can’t do what he thinks he’s gonna do.

“Everybody says that Benavidez is the bogeyman and that no one wants to fight him, and I want to face the best. That’s why I went straight for him.”

The co-main event features a rematch between Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton. Fulton got the best of Figueroa in the first meeting. Their first fight three years ago went 12 rounds. Fulton won by majority decision. 

Figueroa is adamant that loss has motivated him to fight stronger. The Weslaco, Texas, native has won three straight fights since he suffered his first defeat. He defeated Mark Magsayo in 12 rounds after he suffered a brutal cut from multiple head-butts. He then beat Jessie Magdaleno. 

“I’m here to fight the best, and I’m not overlooking anyone,” Figueroa said. “This is the fight that I’ve been waiting for the last three years. And I don’t plan to leave it to the judges this time.

“I’m growing and evolving as a fighter. My fire is burning bigger and bigger. I just want to prove that I’m the best 126-pounder and one of the best fighters in the world period.”

In addition, Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz will take on Angel Fierro in what many believe will live up to the tradition of fiery fights between Mexican boxers. 

Also, Mexican Jesus Ramos will face Dominican Jeison Rosario.