Light heavyweights David Benavidez and David Morrell succeeded in making weight Friday, though as is now custom with most top-tier contests, the real weigh-in occurred earlier that morning, off camera. “Ceremonial weigh-in” is how Jimmy Lennon put it as he addressed the assembled at T-Mobile in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on Friday after lunch.
Morrell came to the scale first. He looked in proper spirits as Lennon told fans he was from Minnesota by way of Cuba. “Someone’s O must go,” Lennon then said he brought interim WBC light heavy champ Benavidez to the stage. The Mexican Monster, repping Phoenix and Washington state, looked ready to hurt but also keen to get away from the hubbub of promotion.
BOTH ARE 174.2
Morrell stuck out his tongue and was 174.2. Benavidez showed his muscles, posed, and weighed 174.2 after doing a throat slash gesture. Both got pants on and did a staredown. Promoter Tom Brown was in the “Tom Brown position” in between. Chatter ensued, with Benavidez promising he’d do vicious things to the Cuban, who held his composure and temperament.
Miguel Flores asked Morrell the key to winning. In Spanish, he said he didn’t need keys to win. He knows Benavidez isn’t all that. “Let’s see if he’s actually able to do as he says.” He kept smiling, not looking “scared,” as Team Benavidez pointed out the day before.
BENAVIDEZ LIKES EFF BOMBS
“This Saturday, all the talking is done, I’m gonna beat the f*ck out of David Morrell. I’m gonna beat the f*ck outta David Morrell. He’s gonna see who the Mexican Monster is Saturday,” Benavidez said to Flores. To the point, violence being promised, pound of flesh to be extracted, that is his aim.
WHO WINS AND HOW?
Benavidez is the favorite in the Premier Boxing Champion show, is 28 years old, and holds a 29-0 record with 24 KOs. The Cuban Morrell, age 30, is 11-0 with 9 KOs. He is very seasoned though and I did wonder why he didn’t pull away from Hot Rod Kaladzjic in his last outing. Maybe because sometimes talent rises or dips according to the perception of challenge.
WILL BENAVIDEZ GET A WHOLE POUNDS’ WORTH?
Did I get anything from the public weigh in which had me shifting thinking? Yeah, I did. I’d be maybe more inclined to have Morrell going the distance in a loss. He ain’t shook. This is the second fight at 175 for Benavidez. In his first, he didn’t stop a guy who Artur Beterbiev had stopped. This Morrell is so seasoned. He might decide a couple of rounds that going the distance is a win for him. In that case, the Monster will be doing his best to extract that pound, but he won’t be able to offer that apex experience finish. We shall see, soon.
Discover more from Fights Around The World
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
