The first thing that comes to mind when watching Gloves Off: Benavidez vs. Morrell episode 1 on YouTube is those ‘Manson lamps.’ Those eyes, seeing his pupils locked in and how dark they get as David Benavidez looks at David Morrell as they are ready to start a promotional photo shoot to hype their upcoming match, February 1 at T-Mobile in Las Vegas, and on pay per view.
“Are you going to be smiling when I knock you out?” says Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) to Morrell during a promo hype sesh. Benavidez is one of the top ten badas$es in the game today, which features fewer of these pound-of-flesh extractors than we used to enjoy, pre-Mayweather era, which also featured more clarity regarding long term damage from head trauma.
February 1: Vegas Gets A Big One
Both are shirtless, both staring into the other man’s eyes to try to get a better sense of what is to come when they step in to a ring together in Vegas. Benavidez fans are going to assume blood, carnage, their man getting his hand raised.
If you’re a Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) fan, you’re thinking this is the guy who can show Benavidez that his strength is top-tier, yes..but it ain’t all about that. Morrell backers know on some nights ring generalship plays more of a factor.
The episode one did a nice job whetting my appetite. “I’m gonna break his f*cking mouth,” Benavidez promises. The hard-core fans who have watched the 27-year-old Morrell come up doubt that, because he’s not shown himself to be susceptible, but Benavidez is a different animal, maybe. He is a pay-per-view level superstar, and someone who really likes violence and really likes to give fans their pound of flesh ie: likes to score the conclusive knockout.
February 1 delivers a loaded fight card we are told in episode one on You Tube. The Stephen Fulton vs Brandon Figueroa 2 scrap is spoken of, we see video of their first tango. Also, Isaac Cruz is fighting… I will say this—sometimes we get bogged down in pricing, fans are tired of paying a lot for pay-per-view, but typically these pay-per-view undercards from PBC deliver in the action department. I’m guessing this will be the case again February 1, and hopefully in the main event as well.
Morrell Had It Hard In Cuba
As he drives to his work out, Benavidez says that he’s gonna beat the sh*t out of Morrell, and you believe him. We see video of him delivering upper cuts and hooks and nasty shots. Many folks reading this know that he was a fighting teenager; fought to get rid of his fat and then just kept on going, and is now one of the premier hitters in the game as far as being a known quantity, especially within the United States.
“I can’t let these people down. I won’t let these people down,” Benavidez says of his fandom. He says his fans are like his family and you believe him when he’s saying it, the intensity, the believability when he states this comes off is real. Yes, I know this is a promo video. He says “we’re gonna give the people what they want to see” and that’s violence. At 28 years old, he has a solid handle on what value he provides the market.
He’s still wanting to move up the ladder, you can tell I think that he’s not gotten his big fat payday and he’s not on the slide as far as ambition/commitment. He is still hungering for more, obviously many people know that “more” means Canelo Alvarez.. but right now, Morrell has to be dealt with and he’s very tricky, slick and strong. Benavidez knows that and no one thinks he’s looking too far past Morrell…but maybe the tiniest bit? …we shall see.
Episode 2 Dropped After 1 On Saturday
Benavidez is pissed off because Morrell won’t shake his hand during a promo session and he gets a big smile on his face as the slight occurs but you can tell that he wants to murder the bum. In episode 2, we hear Benavidez promise that Morrell will be unconscious fight night. We see footage of some shoving and then Morrell throwing a belt; decent beef there.
“F*ck his dog, f*ck his cat,” Benavidez declares.
We learn more about Morrell, and where he came from. It wasn’t that fat kid who had too many McDonalds upbringing, he came from a harder place than that, he shares. Many Americans, even struggling ones, can’t really conceive of the distinction. But I do wonder, as hunger and ambition are concerned, maybe this spot on the mountain climb might be enough. That’s to be determined February 1; how bad you want it as you get broken down… that might be for Morrell to decide, I believe as I’m watching this.
We see footage of Morrell stopping people. Of course, fans do like that pound of flesh climax. Morrell, he’s a superb in-ring general, could he finish the favorite? He tells us he has everything needed to beat Benavidez… what about that chin? Whiskers check unlike anything he’s dealt with, maybe.
“I promise you, I’ll knock him out,” the Cuban man stated. Do I really believe him as he says it, I do not. Does he believe it as he says it, I don’t know… We see footage of Morrell dancing and goofing in camp, and we think to ourselves, February 1, it’s not gonna be anything like that.
In the second episode, Benavidez spoke of having injuries his last fight in June. Maybe that helped convince Morrell to sign on to fight him. He wants to humiliate Morrell, he declares, but maybe he’s talking himself into hating a little bit more because Morrell isn’t really any kind of a d*ck. You gotta do that somewhat to an extent if not for yourself to fire yourself up but also to give the promo shows a little bit of heat. I think anyone probably knows there’s a little bit of showmanship involved.
In Houston, Texas, Morrell says he will show that Benavidez isn’t really the bad boy, the ultra bully. He knows he can’t know until fight night, right? These declarations from people, you do wonder, are they trying to convince themselves? Morrell says if he loses, “I lose everything.” But that isn’t true—-if he gives a good account even in a loss, then people might want a rematch. He seems like a solid professional, but February 1 will be different than he’s dealt with before, I think.
Next, we see Benavidez laboring versus Gvozdyk. “He only goes forward,” Morrell says as he critiques. “He’s a fat boy,” Morrell says, laughing while watching footage. Not a real 175 is the implication. Real enough to stay unbeaten, Benavidez believes. Maybe, though, Benavidez’ best days have come and gone, as Morrell hopes.
Who Wins and How?
Ep 1 and 2 helped me ponder the possibility, but not for too long. Benavidez stops Morrell in round 8 or 9. He’ll be wanting to give rooters a proper payoff and ammo to convince Canelo to meet “The Monster” after beating Bud
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