5 Burning Questions for Benavidez-Morrell Jr.
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Bad blood, trash talk, and genuine disdain have long fueled some of boxing’s most memorable rivalries. As David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. prepare to square off, the question arises—does this fight belong among the sport’s most intense grudge matches? While some argue it’s more promotional theater than true animosity, others see a personal rivalry brewing that could elevate this bout beyond mere competition. With high stakes, undefeated records, and contrasting styles, this matchup has all the ingredients for an instant classic. But will it live up to the hype?
We dive into the narrative, stylistic clashes, and potential legacy implications surrounding the Benavidez-Morrell Jr. fight:
#1. Where does Benavidez-Morrell Jr. rank in terms of bad blood feuds/grudge matches in boxing history?
Lee: When it comes to bad blood or grudge matches, I must start with Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward. The crazy part is they were quite friendly outside the ring. However, their trilogy of fights was brutal, but very entertaining. Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran was another classic feud. I wouldn’t classify Benavidez-Morrell Jr. a feud or bad blood because this is their first fight and guys talk trash to sell fights. Benavidez has said he will use this Morrell Jr. fight to put the light heavyweight division on notice. “The Mexican Monster” has gone as far as to say he will retire Morrell Jr. The animosity has ramped up the closer we get to the fight. So, there should be fiery exchanges once the bell rings. But I can’t call this a grudge match.
Evan: I’m 50/50 with Lee on this one. I agree that fighters trash talk to sell fights, so it’s hard to tell what is true bad blood nowadays. However, these two seem to have some real genuine disdain for one another, at least going into this scrap. There’s a personal disrespect, and fiery competitiveness amidst them that feels pretty authentic. Between Morrell’s dismissiveness of Benavidez’s physique and comparing his skills to Robocop, to the Mexican Monster’s vitriolic responses promising to deliver a beating that will alter the Cuban contender’s career. I’m not sure how you can say this isn’t a grudge match. The build up has been very reminiscent to me of past rivalries such as De La Hoya-Vargas, Barrera-Morales, Mayweather-Judah, or Fury-Wilder.
#2. Will this fight live up to the hype of being an instant classic?
Lee: This fight could be an instant classic. Morrell Jr. is no slouch and Benavidez is a knockout specialist. Both guys are walking in with a title around their waist to make the stakes even higher. Benavidez wasn’t his usual dominant self in his last fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk. Some might say he was exposed in that fight. Morrell Jr. will need to stand up to Benavidez pressure while being the more technical fighter. We know what Benavidez is going to bring to the ring if Morrell Jr. can match it, this fight could be an instant classic.
Evan: The instant classic moniker is such a lofty thing for a fight to live up to. But, this matchup has all the ingredients to do it. I think this will be an all-action offensive shootout between a pair of undefeated, skilled, hungry stars on the rise. Styles make fights, and the way these two clash with one another, is like peanut butter and jelly. I can’t guarantee it will be an instant classic. But, I’d be shocked if it doesn’t deliver or meet the expectations. In the words of the legendary Jim Ross, this has slobberknocker written all over it.
#3. Whose offensive firepower and style do you favor more in this matchup?
Lee: Benavidez, easily. Boxing is a sport where watchers want action and crave knockout finishes and Benavidez provides that. His relentless pressure and KO power is always on display. With all the talking he has done leading up to this fight, he needs to back that up. This high-risk, high-reward fight against Morrell Jr. is his chance to prove he is the best fighter in the sport today. Also, if he wins this fight in exciting form, he will most likely fight the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol.
Evan: I agree with Lee, I think it’s Benavidez too. Although I’m not sure it’s as definitive as saying it’s easily him. Morrell Jr. is unique in that he’s got offensive ability from every range, and has power in both hands. Whether from the inside, outside, or in the pocket, the Cuban sensation is a force. I’d argue he has the more dynamic arsenal of the two. With that being said, I’d give Benavidez the edge overall still because his output and pace is unrelenting. He possesses a rare ability to produce an avalanche of offense that opponents eventually wilt to. When Benavidez gets going downhill, his voracity to create violence and damage is seemingly unstoppable. If Morrell Jr. can’t provide any significant resistance to that, he’s in for a world of hurt come Saturday night in Vegas.
#4. What’s the fight or fighter on the undercard people should be paying attention to?
Lee: Nearly four years ago, Stephen Fulton Jr. won by a majority decision over Brandon Figueroa. Figueroa will look to avenge that loss and retain his WBC featherweight world title on Saturday night. Fulton has racked up a 2-1 record since their first fight with his lone loss (TKO) came at the hands of Naoya Inoue, the #3 P4P fighter in the world. Figueroa is riding a three-fight winning streak since the Fulton loss. This fight will come down to Figueroa’s volume punching vs. Fulton’s use of angles and defense. Will the winner of this fight be willing to take on the fast charging Bruce Carrington next?
Evan: The Figueroa-Fulton Jr. rematch is a phenomenal choice given their first meeting was an instant classic. But I’ll go with the showdown between Mexican brawlers, Isaac Cruz and Angel Fierro. This fight should be a barnburner from start to finish. It’s an extremely important bounce back opportunity too, for Cruz. He’s looking to regain some momentum after dropping the WBA super lightweight title in a surprising split decision loss to Jose Valenzuela last August. He also turned down a potential matchup with Ryan Garcia this May, to focus solely on Fierro. A win here for Pitbull would get him right back in the mix with the big names at 135 and 140 pounds.
#5. What’s more likely for the Benavidez-Morrell Jr. victor, facing the winner of the Beterbiev-Bivol rematch or Canelo next?
Lee: If Morrell Jr. were to win this fight he would be on Canelo’s radar. Morrell winning would finally give Canelo a reason to not fight Benavidez, and entertain Morrell as a future opponent. In my opinion, Canelo doesn’t want to fight Benavidez, so there is no reason to keep kicking this dead horse. Whereas, Benavidez, if he should win, should await the winner of Beterbiev vs. Bivol. He should be looking to add to his legacy by becoming undisputed champ in the light heavyweight division and not chasing Canelo. Also a fight against Gilberto Ramirez for Ramirez’s WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles could be on the table for Benavidez.
Evan: I frankly don’t think Canelo is fighting either Benavidez or Morrell Jr. next regardless of who wins. Especially seeing as it looks more and more likely that Alvarez is moving in the direction of setting up a super fight with Terence Crawford this fall. I expect him to continue the trend of facing mandatory challengers at 168 too. He’ll probably take on William Scull in May, in yet another fight that nobody asked for or wants to see. This will also allow him to continue to avoid fighting Benavidez or Morrell Jr. for the next year or so. That makes the winner of the Beterbiev-Bivol the no-brainer, and more likely choice. It would set up an unofficial four-man tournament at 175 to decide who’s the best light heavyweight on the planet currently.
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