David Benavidez vs. David Morrell | PBC PPV - 1 February 2025

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Official: David Benavidez team has offered fight to David Morrell

David Benavidez woke up Wednesday with an epiphany.

“I don’t want to fight somebody who doesn’t mean something for my career. I only want to fight the best available. The best out there now is David Morrell.”

With that, unbeaten WBC interim light-heavyweight champion Benavidez connected with a representative of his team and requested that he offer Cuba’s unbeaten light-heavyweight Morrell a fight.

A boxing official connected to the situation told BS Thursday that an offer from Phoenix’s Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) has been sent over to representatives of Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs), and they are waiting to hear back.

“What’s so nice about this is that it’s the boxer making the decision … he’s the one reaching out to make the fight,” the boxing official said.

Both boxers fight under the Premier Boxing Champions banner. Messages left to PBC were not immediately returned Thursday.

Benavidez was previously considering a proposal to fight Philadelphia’s 35-year-old Jesse Hart (31-3, 25 KOs).

“PBC loves the (Benavidez-Morrell) fight, everybody loves the fight … because it’s the best possible (light-heavyweight) fight,” the official said. “Morrell has a big mouth, and he’s said things before, things like (Benavidez) has chickened out from fighting him. So we expect this offer to be accepted.”

Benavidez, 27, and Morrell, 26, both opted this year to leave the super-middleweight division because they couldn’t land a title fight against then-undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez.

The light-heavyweight division is bracing for its ultimate showdown, the Oct. 12 undisputed title fight between unbeaten Russians Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

“After that fight, there’s no way the WBC champion can fight anyone other than (a victorious) Benavidez or he will be stripped,” the official said. “Benavidez is doing everything – including pursuing this fight against Morrell – like a real champion.”

Former WBC super-middleweight champion Benavidez defeated former light-heavyweight Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15, and Morrell was less impressive in his light-heavyweight debut, but still won, defeating Radivoje Kalajdzic by unanimous decision Aug. 3 in Los Angeles.

“I imagine Benavidez will get more money. He’s the ‘A’ fighter,” the official said. “But I think both guys will do well. It’ll be a good pay-per-view.”

The issue beyond Morrell’s response is figuring out when and where to place the fight.

Putting it on Dec. 14 would put it in competition with two lesser bouts: Jaime Munguia fighting in Tijuana and welterweight Alexis Rocha heading a Golden Boy Promotions/DAZN card in Ontario, Calif.

If they wait until Dec. 21, the pay-per-view heavyweight title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will stream earlier that day.

Initially, the Benavidez side likes the idea of placing the bout at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. If the December dates don’t work out, they will also consider early 2025.

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David Benavidez-David Morrell aiming for Las Vegas clash in early 2025

David Benavidez announced on social media that his next fight will be against fellow super middleweight contender David Morrell, setting up a high-profile clash between two of the division's top fighters.

Both Benavidez and Morrell have established themselves as top contenders in the super middleweight division, with Saul "Canelo" Alvarez regarded by some as the only fighter ranked above them due to his time spent as the undisputed champion. After mildly underwhelming distance fights in their debuts at light heavyweight, both fighters are aiming to make a stronger impression against even more difficult opposition.

Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs), the 27-year-old Phoenix native who now trains near Seattle with his family, confirmed the fight via Instagram. “There was a lot of names on the table, but I wanted to give my fans the best fight possible," Benavidez wrote on Instagram. "I reached out to David Morrell and his team to make this happen, and we got the contract done. This fight really is going to be a banger! 2 of the best in the division and 2 titles on the line.”

Benavidez’s most recent outing was a 12-round unanimous decision win over former light heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June. That victory, on the undercard of the Gervonta Davis-Frank Martin pay-per-view, marked Benavidez’s sole appearance in 2024. Benavidez ventured north to 175 pounds after repeatedly calling out Alvarez at 168 to no avail.

A top advisor told BS that the fighter said, “I want to make my own legacy.”

Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs), a 26-year-old Cuban fighter who trains under Ronnie Shields, also returned to the ring at light heavyweight in August, winning a unanimous decision over Radivoje "Hot Rod" Kalajdzic. Despite he and Benavidez failing to score stoppages in their first outings at light heavyweight, their aggressive styles figure to produce a crowd-pleasing action fight.

Though a date and location for the fight are yet to be confirmed, a source close to the Benavidez team said target dates are Jan. 25 or Feb. 1 and the fight is planned as a pay-per-view main event in Las Vegas.

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David Benavidez vs David Morrell Jr official for February 1st on Prime PPV

Brandon Figueroa rematches Stephen Fulton in the co-feature

As expected, WBC interim light heavyweight champion David Benavidez will face fellow unbeaten David Morrell atop a February 1st Prime PPV at T-Mobile Arena.

Benavidez (29-0, 24 KO) is in line for a crack at the winner of Artur Beterbiev’s planned rematch against Dmitry Bivol, who may or may not stay undisputed depending on the IBF’s Michael Eifert demand, but is taking a genuine risk here against a fellow super middleweight emigrant. Though he was a bit shaky in his divisional debut against Radivoje Kalajdzic, Morrell (11-0, 9 KO) is a dazzling mix of speed and power when he’s on. I’ll be shocked if this isn’t a Fight of the Year frontrunner.

The undercard notably features a rematch between Brandon Figueroa (25-1-1, 19 KO) and Stephen Fulton (22-1, 8 KO), who put on a show the first time around. This was supposed to land on next month’s Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach Jr show, but thankfully didn’t stay attached when that got bumped to March.

Also on tap is a fun-looking super lightweight slugfest between Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KO) and Angel Fierro (22-2-2, 17 KO), plus Jesus Ramos (21-1, 17 KO) against Jeison Rosario (24-4-2, 18 KO). Did you know Rosario isn’t even 30 yet? Wild.

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David Benavidez on David Morrell: ‘He doesn’t like me; I don’t like him’

The touch paper was lit between the light heavyweights David Benavidez and David Morrell at Tuesday’s public workout, as anticipation for their February 1 bout in Las Vegas grew.

The unbeaten rivals will meet at the T-Mobile Arena, but on Tuesday, in Florida, tempers flared and they failed to contain their feud.

Benavidez, 28, shoved Morrell, and Morrell launched his WBA interim title in Benavidez’s direction.

“I came over with all respect, it’s my birthday, so I tried to be a little more calm, I tried to shake his hand, he didn’t want to shake my hand, he told me he was going to mess me up, and I got mad, so I pushed him,” Benavidez told ProBox TV. “That kind of shows what the temperature it is, how the fight is heating up. He doesn’t like me. I don’t like him. The ones who are going to end up winning are the fans, because we’re going to go to war in there.”

There is genuine animosity between them. Benavidez is 29-0 (24 KOs), and the 26-year-old Morrell is 11-0 (9 KOs), but Benavidez said he was surprised by Tuesday’s tension, given things had started respectfully when the fight was first announced.

“The thing that bothered me afterwards was he came after the press conference and shook my hand, so that’s why I tried to shake his hand here,” said Benavidez. “I tried to be cool. But I guess when all these people are around, he thinks he’s hard and he thinks he’s somebody he’s not, but when he’s by himself he knows he can’t mess with me.

“It’s going to be a war. I’m 100 per cent ready for this fight, I know David Morrell’s going to come ready for this fight but I’m going to inflict as much damage as possible on David Morrell and I will leave with my hand raised and with two belts that night.”

The February 1 winner will be in line to face the February 22 victor in Saudi Arabia when Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol have a rematch.

“I’m ready for whoever,” said Benavidez. “I feel at this point I’m in the best moment of my life, mentally and physically and emotionally and I’m ready for anybody, whoever, whenever.”

Does that mean Benavidez’s long-time target is now out of the picture?

“I don’t think he’s out of the picture,” said Benavidez. “But I think that fight would happen more in the future. I think right now we’ve got big fights happening in the light-heavyweight division and we’re just focused on the light-heavyweight division first.”

[MightyWarrior]

What a fight, this is both taking on a huge risk fight for a shot at the undisputed.

You don’t see more high-quality world title eliminators than this one. The bookies have DB as favourite, no doubt for his big time experience - But Morrell is bringing a hell of a lot to this, and no one is quite sure how good he is.

£20 on prime - fireworks guaranteed

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Jeison Rosario promises fireworks against Jesus Ramos on February 1

Jeison Rosario is promising fireworks ahead of his February 1 middleweight clash with Jesus Ramos.

The 29-year-old Rosario, a former IBF junior-middleweight titlist, commences 2025 by slugging it out with Ramos, 23, on the undercard of David Benavidez-David Morrell at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Rosario expects a crunch encounter against Ramos (21-1, 17 KOs), whom he described as an attacking opponent.

“I'm a warrior. I'm a soldier. And as such, I'm gonna be ready to go into battle and just try to do my best on February 1. It's gonna be epic, and I can't wait,” Rosario told BS.

“Ramos and I have similar styles. We both like to come forward. That means we're gonna clash. You're gonna see fireworks out there and it's gonna be a war. There's not gonna be anywhere to hide. From the first run until the very end, it's gonna be fireworks. It's gonna be absolutely awesome to see that kind of firepower out there.”

The Dominican Republic’s Rosario, 24-4-2 (18 KOs), is coming off a 10-round split draw against Jarrett Hurd last August. Judges scored the bout 95-95, 94-96, and 96-94 in a close contest.

Rosario admitted that he was disappointed in the decision of the judges and considered a rematch against Hurd.

“The decision wasn't what I expected. I thought I won, but regardless, I'm thankful for everything and the opportunity that I was given to come back into the fold. I’m not gonna lie. I thought about a rematch, during the very rough aftermath of the fight.

“Once I stepped out of the ring, of course, I was like, ‘Hey, I'm gonna win pretty much.’ But in the end, I ended up with a much better fight against Ramos. It's happened for a reason and now I'm much less rusty, much stronger, much more confident than I have been in a long, long time, and I feel like I'm proud and ready to shine on February 1.”

Ahead of February 1, Rosario said he’s had the best of training camp and is physically and mentally fit for the Ramos fight. Knowing Ramos’ fighting style of applying pressure and power, Rosario explained that he was prepared to deal with those qualities to record an emphatic victory.

“Jesus Ramos is certainly a young, hungry fighter. He's gonna be a quality opponent, and a victory will mean a lot to me because it will signify that I can come back into being considered for world titles, to be among the best, to be mentioned for the best fights, and for the best cards.”

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Mirco Cuello and Yoenli Hernandez lead February 1st Benavidez vs Morrell prelims

Top prospects Mirco Cuello and Yoenli Hernandez will be inaction on the free portion of PBC’s February 1st Benavidez vs Morrell show

Premier Boxing Champions has revealed a pair of YouTube-streamed Prelims set to lead into their February 1st David Benavidez vs David Morrell Jr PPV, both of which feature fast-riding prospect.

The top bout sees Argentine featherweight Mirco Cuello (14-0, 11 KO) step up in class against Christian Olivo Barreda (22-1-1, 8 KO). The 24-year-old Cuello took bronze at the 2018 Youth Olympics, reached the Round of 16 at the 2020 Games, and most notably beat Sulaiman Segawa last March. The only blemish on Olivo’s record came via questionable decision against Luis Nunez in April 2023. Very nice clash of young up-and-comers.

“I’m excited to have the chance to show what I’m capable of in front of a large audience against a very skilled opponent,” Cuello said. “I will win this fight because I know what it takes to win at the highest levels. This is the most important fight of my professional career so far and I will be coming into the ring ready to make a name for myself and put the featherweight division on notice.”

“I know that I’m in a tough fight against an accomplished opponent, but every great fighter becomes known by stepping up to their greatest challenges,” Barreda said. “I will be returning to fight in the U.S. as an all-new fighter in the best shape of my life and ready to do whatever it takes to have my hand raised.”

In the opener, WBA no. 1 middleweight Yoenli Hernandez (6-0, 6 KO) takes on Angel Ruiz (18-3-1, 13 KO). This one doesn’t figure to be as competitive; Hernandez is yet another of the “new-school” Cuban knockout machines speeding through the ranks, while Ruiz is 2-3-1 (1 NC) in his last seven, most of which took place at either 147 or 154.

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PPV.COM Press Release

PPV.com, which does not require a subscription, returns for its 2025 season debut when it live streams in the U.S. and Canada an explosive battle between interim WBC light heavyweight champion David "El Monstro" Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) from Phoenix and WBA light heavyweight regular champion David Morrell, Jr. (11-0, 9 KOs), a Cuban native who hails from Minneapolis. The action will be streamed live from T-Mobile Arena in the 'Fight Capital of the World,' Las Vegas on Saturday, February 1st, beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Priced at $79.99, it can be ordered at PPV.com.

Hall of Fame boxing commentator Jim Lampley returns to co-host the popular viewer chat in real time throughout the HD live stream. "As soon as I agreed, fifteen months ago, to return to ringside doing live viewer chat with PPV.COM, I began hearing speculation on the exciting possibility of David Benavidez vs. David Morrell. The ringside consensus is that they are two of the biggest punchers in the light heavyweight neighborhood, and the winner may be in position for a megadollars summit meeting with another big puncher, [world champion] Artur Beterbiev. I’m packing to go to Las Vegas for Benavidez vs. Morrell February 1st," said Lampley.

Lampley's eagerly anticipated memoir, It Happened!: A Uniquely Lucky Life in Sports Television, will be released on April 15.

Joining Lampley on the live viewer chat will be award-winning boxing journalist Lance Pugmire, popular podcast hosts Dan Canobbio, and former WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri. Jim, Lance, Dan, and Chris will also be providing exclusive fight week commentary and reports from Las Vegas for PPV.com's website and social platforms.

The Benavidez vs. Morrell pay-per-view live stream undercard will feature three other bouts: the rematch between WBC featherweight champion Brandon Figueroa (25-1-1, 19 KOs), Texas, who is looking to avenge his only pro loss, and Stephen Fulton, Jr. (22-1, 8 KOs), the former WBC/WBO junior featherweight champion from West Philadelphia, who is bidding to become a two-division champion; Mexico City's Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs), a former WBA 140-pound champion vs. Angel Fierro (22-2-2, 17 KOs) from Tijuana, in an all-Mexican ten rounder; and opening up the pay-per-view live stream will be a ten-round middleweight rumble between Jesus "Mono" Ramos, Jr. (21-1, 17 KOs) from Arizona and former two-belt junior middleweight champion Jeison Rosario (24-4-2, 18 KOs) from the Dominican Republic.

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£20 on prime - fireworks guaranteed

Is it defo on Prime on UK?

PPV?

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Fight Week!!

[MightyWarrior]

£20 on prime - fireworks guaranteed

Is it defo on Prime on UK?

PPV?

Yep 19.99, for the hardcore only, no idea how this’ll sell in uk

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£20 on prime - fireworks guaranteed

Is it defo on Prime on UK?

PPV?

Yep 19.99, for the hardcore only, no idea how this’ll sell in uk

i just checked it.

yeh, Undercard ain't too bad.

PBC must not be getting much from Amazon in this deal. Most cards are PPV.

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Press Release

On Saturday's show headlined by David Banvidez vs. David Morrell in Las Vegas, the non-televised action on Sautrday in Las Vegas will see Jose Benavidez Jr. (28-3-1, 19 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight tilt against Danny Rosenberger (20-9-4, 10 KOs), and Mayweather Promotions’ top prospect Curmel Moton (6-0, 5 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight matchup battling Frank Zaldivar (5-1, 3 KOs). The undercard will also include a battle of unbeaten super middleweights as Daniel Blancas (11-0, 5 KOs) duels California’s Juan Barajas (11-0-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-round fight... super featherweight Kaipo Gallegos (7-0-1, 6 KOs) faces Venezuela’s Leonardo Padilla (24-6-1, 17 KOs) in an eight-round affair... super middleweight John Easter (7-0, 7 KOs) heads into a six-round bout against Joseph Aguilar (6-2-1, 3 KOs)... and San Antonio’s Gabriela Tellez (3-0, 1 KO) meets Abril Anguiano (4-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round featherweight "someone's ) has got to go" matchup. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com. In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video in the US, UK, and now Canada — regardless of Prime membership — fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.

Phoenix’s Benavídez is the older brother of headliner David Benavídez and is trained by his father Jose Sr. A long-established contender who was a highly decorated amateur, Benavídez moved up to super welterweight after dropping a 2018 world title challenge to Terence Crawford, concluding a long run at 147 pounds. He moved up to 154 pounds in July 2022, battling two-division champion Danny Garcia for 12 rounds before losing by a close majority decision. Benavídez made his 160 pound debut in August of 2023, blasting out veteran Sladan Janjanin in round five before dropping a November challenge to two-division champion Jermall Charlo.

He’ll be challenged by Youngstown, Ohio’s Rosenberger, who enters this bout on a fourteen-fight winning streak. The 34-year-old put together a big 2024 campaign, winning four fights including most recently earning a decision victory over Gabriel Escalante in August.

Fighting out of the Mayweather Promotions stable, Moton grabbed the boxing world’s attention last March with a dominant eight-round unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten Anthony Cuba, going toe-to-toe and controlling the action throughout a scintillating bout. The 18-year-old was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and now trains and resides in Las Vegas, fighting out of the famed Mayweather Boxing Club. Moton has added three more KO’s since the Cuba fight, including most recently stopping Hilario Martinez Moreno in the first round in October.

He will take on the 28-year-old Zalvidar, who will look to bounce back from a decision loss in his last fight against Yosdiel Napoles in August. Originally from Santiago de Cuba, Cuba and now fighting out of Miami, Zalvidar turned pro in 2019 following an amateur career that included a triumph over Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz.

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David Benavidez-David Morrell Jnr main and co-main officials finalized

The officials for the main event and co-main event for the David Benavidez-David Morrell Jnr card set for Saturday in Las Vegas have been finalized.

Thomas Taylor, of California, will be the third man in charge for Benavidez-Morrell, which will take place at T-Mobile Arena. The three judges who will score the bout are Tim Cheatham and Patricia Morse Jarman, of Nevada, and Steve Weisfeld, of New Jersey.

The officials were initially recommended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Jeff Mullen, and were unanimously approved by the four commissioners who were in attendance on Tuesday at the NSAC monthly commission meeting.

Saturday’s fight will be the third straight Benavidez fight that Taylor will referee. He was also the third man in the ring for Benavidez’s sixth-round stoppage of Demetrius Andrade in November of 2023 and his unanimous decision win in June 2024 over Oleksandr Gvozdyk – both of which took place in Vegas. Saturday marks the first time Taylor will officiate a Morrell fight.

The 12-round light-heavyweight fight, which will headline a Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view card on Prime Video, will have major world-title implications. The winner will become the mandatory challenger for the WBC title, which will be among the belts at stake on February 22 when the undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev meets Dmitry Bivol in a rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Benavidez, 29-0 (24 KOs), is from Phoenix, while Morrell, 11-0 (9 KOs), is is from Santa Clara, Cuba, but now makes his home in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Also on the agenda were the officials for the rematch between Brandon Figueroa, 25-1-1 (19 KOs), and Stephen Fulton, 22-1 (8 KOs).

Harvey Dock, of New Jersey, was selected as the referee, while New York’s Max Deluca, Oklahoma’s David Sutherland and California’s Zachary Young will score the fight. Dock, a former Golden Gloves champion with a 1-0 pro record, has never refereed a fight for either Figueroa or Fulton.

The fight, which will be the first defense of Figueroa’s WBC featherweight title, will be a rematch of their close junior featherweight unification bout in 2021, which Fulton won by majority decision.

“I’m really excited because of all the work I put into this camp,” said Benavidez, 28, on Monday. “I worked harder this camp than I have for any other camp before in my career. It’s got me ready for Saturday night. Now all the talking is almost done and it’s time to show the work in the ring.”

“Fight week is finally here and I’m ready to show everyone that I’m the best light heavyweight in the world,” said the 27-year-old Morrell. “I’ve never been more prepared for a fight. This is going to be one of the best fights of the year and I can’t wait for the bell to ring.”

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[TheLeprechaun]

Benavides should stop him late.

[NoScoutingReports]

How do people see Brandon Figueroa v Stephen Fulton 2 going? Leaning towards Figueroa this time around myself, first fight was very entertaining but I'd expect a slightly more controlled display from both in this one, that was a real war and Fulton has taken a fair amount of punishment in between.

[goose 5]

I like Figueroa in the rematch; I scored the first bout a draw.

[samwbr]

This on Prime in UK?

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This on Prime in UK?

yeh. £20

[samwbr]

This on Prime in UK?

yeh. £20

Cheers

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