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Benavidez Wins Unanimous Decision over Morrell Jr. to Become WBA Light Heavy Weight Champion

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Benavidez vs Morrell - February 1, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

By Ron Harris – NBA players like playing on Christmas day.  Professional boxers like being the first big fight of the new year.  In this new year, the World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Association light heavy weight champions kicked off 2025 in front of a sold-out crowd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with a convincing victory for Interim WBC champion David Benavidez (30-0) over WBA champion, David Morrell Jr.  (11-1).  The scores for the unanimous decision were 115-111, twice and 118-108. 

Benavidez, known as “the Monster,” put the pressure on the inexperienced Morrell Jr from the opening bell.  Although Morrell, Jr was taller, Benavidez seemed to tower over his opponent and looked like he was punching down all night.  Cuban defector Morrell, Jr., won his title in his 3rd fight and basically walked through his 11 opponents.  He has been calling out Benavidez for several months.  After Benavidez could not make a fight with Canelo Alverez, the cash cow of boxing, he moved up to the light heavyweight division and is now the WBA champion along with his Interim WBC title. 

Benavidez vs Morrell – February 1, 2025

Benavidez’s experience was on display early in the fight when he repeatedly moved Morrell, Jr’s glove with his left glove and pounded the face of Morrell, Jr. with his right hand.  That is a move that most fighters don’t use.  He did that move throughout the fight.  It must be legal, because the referee, Thomas Taylor, was looking directly at him doing it.  Benavidez is an excellent all-around fighter.  He puts constant pressure on his opponent.  Kind of stalking in a way.  His defense is top notch.  His gloves are always in perfect position to pick off anything Morrell, Jr threw his way.  It got to the point where Morrell, Jr, was so conscience of defending Benavidez’s punches, he could not get his own punches off.  Morrell, Jr., just did not have the experience to contend with a boxer-puncher like Benavidez. 

“Nothing surprised me tonight.  I knew he was a great fighter, so I had to be on my P’s and Q’s, my offense was good, and my defense was good,” says Benavidez.  “To be honest, I thought he was going to be harder to hit.”  In round 11, Morrell, Jr. was deducted a point for hitting late, after he had knocked Benavidez down with a short right hook.  The late punch seemed to stun Benavidez.  “I wasn’t really hurt, but it was after the bell…it caught me off balance, but it is what it is.”  Normally a slow starter, Benavidez came out smoking in this fight.  “He was easier to hit than expected, so I saw every opportunity, so I went for it.”

Benavidez vs Morrell – February 1, 2025

Morrell, Jr. who fights out of Minnesota, was not discouraged with his first defeat.  “I am only 27 years old, and it is only one lost.  I want to fight Benavidez again. David Morrell is still ready to go, hell no, hell no.” 

Benavidez is only 28 years old and is a star in the sport.  Whether he fights Alvarez or not, he will attract big crowds and big money.  Maybe he will become the cash cow of boxing. 

Photo credits: Esther Lin and Ryan Hafey

Ron Harris is a retired college administrator, coach, broadcaster, Internet and TV sports producer and host.  He’s also a former radio host of a live call-in show.  Ron has been a mainstay of the Washington DC area sports landscape for decades covering all the major professional sports, college sports, boxing and more.

 

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