David Benavidez vs David Morrell Predictions: The unbeaten namesakes battle to be next

WBC interim light heavyweight champion David Benavidez takes on WBA ‘regular’ titlist David Morrell in a pick’em clash this Saturday, February 1. The fight takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, a venue that is no stranger to a big fight. Amazon Prime PPV will televise the event.

Here are my Benavidez vs Morrell predictions ahead of this battle of the unbeaten Davids.

David Benavidez vs David Morrell Odds

It’s a close one this. Benavidez is a narrow 1/2 favourite while Morrell is not far behind at 13/8. A draw is priced at 16/1. Tempting stuff considering how well-matched these two are.

Fight Preview

A fight of this quality probably deserves better on the belt front. The WBC interim and WBA ‘regular’ straps are little more than representations of how overcrowded the sport is in terms of championships. Artur Beterbiev is the undisputed light heavyweight champion of the world. Any other claim, not least these two spurious straps, is irrelevant.

But even without the questionable hardware, this would be a fight to savour. Let us refer to it as what it truly is and should be. This could well be an unofficial number-one contender’s match-up to fight the winner of Beterbiev’s defence next month against Dmitry Bivol in their rematch.

The beauty of this match-up is the fact it brings together two of those vaunted boxing urban legends, the “avoided” fighter. Saturday’s main event brings together two men who are bravely doing what no one else will. They are fighting David Benavidez and David Morrell.

Benavidez has been pursuing the most high-profile quarry. Not just the biggest name of the pair, but the biggest name in the sport. ‘El Bandero Roja’ has been lobbying for a fight with unified super middleweight kingpin Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for years. 

Benavidez has twice-held the WBC belt that now sits around Canelo’s waist. He never lost the famous green strap in the ring. A drug test after cocaine was found in his system and missing weight ended each of his two reigns. But Benavidez has persevered in the years since with more professionalism and focus. Make no mistake, this is the best version of ‘The Mexican Monster’ yet.

Canelo has seemed conscious of this. Alvarez has given various reasons why Benavidez didn’t deserve a shot while a procession of aging fighters and wet-behind-the-ears upstarts did warrant a tilt at the throne. Eventually, Benavidez became sick of the champion’s chess and upped sticks to the light heavyweight division.

Benavidez left super middleweight on a hot streak, having taken out David Lemieux, Demetrius Andrade and Caleb Plant on his way out of the door. How do you top beating three former world champions in your previous division? Beat another on your light heavyweight debut. The 28-year-old outpointed former WBC and lineal king Oleksandr Gvozdyk to lift the interim strap in June.

Morrell’s rise has been a little more lowkey. Despite racking up six defences of the WBA ‘regular’ belt down at super middleweight, there has been less clamour for a Canelo match-up. This could party be attributed to the scorn heaped upon the WBA’s secondary belt. With Alvarez holding the main WBA belt at the weight, nobody really takes the sanctioning body’s spare title seriously.

But Morrell has still racked up nine knockouts from 11 wins at an ostensible-world title level. He is very well-thought of in hardcore boxing circles and this fight with Benavidez could see him break out. Whatever belt is on the line, you are no slouch if you’re knocking out the likes of Aidos Yerbossynuly and Yamaguchi Falcao in title defences. The former was put in an induced coma after their fight, but thankfully is now back to health and is even contemplating a comeback.

Benavidez is a giant step-up. Morrell took his light heavyweight debut well, outscoring former world title challenger and Beterbiev foe Radivoje Kalajdzic. But Benavidez is a different kettle of fish. He has faced better opposition and, despite being just a year older than Morrell, has had almost three-times as many fights.

Will Benavidez’s experience at the top level have an impact? Or has Morrell been waiting for an opportunity just like this to finally ascend? 

Benavidez vs Morrell Full Card

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Benavidez vs Morrell Prediction

This is a great fight and both men should be applauded for taking it. I believe this bout comes down to who is taking the greatest leap to be here. I believe that to be Morrell.

In the simplest terms, Benavidez is the best fighter Morrell has ever faced. But Morrell is not the finest boxer Benavidez has met in the ring.

I believe ‘El Bandero Roja’ will make that experience edge tell and prevail in a fight I expect to be closely-contested. I think Morrell lasts, but succumbs. Benavidez by decision at 11/8.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.