David Benavidez secured a convincing victory over David Morrell Jr. with a unanimous decision on Saturday night, solidifying his status as the unified interim WBC and WBA "Regular" light heavyweight champion. The match, held in Las Vegas, saw Benavidez maintain his unbeaten record, improving to 30 wins with 24 knockouts, and positioning himself as the mandatory challenger for the rematch winner between undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Benavidez's victory was not without its challenges; he faced off against one of the toughest opponents of his career. "I just want to be the best of my era. Whoever they need me to fight next, I want to unify all four titles," Benavidez stated following his win, indicating his eagerness to face the division's top contenders.
Throughout the fight, Benavidez displayed relentless aggression and struck at Morrell with a steady barrage of punches. Despite finding himself on the canvas from a knockdown during the penultimate round, he rebounded strongly, demonstrating both resilience and skill. His performance left little doubt about his abilities, with the unanimous scorecards reflecting his overall dominance.
"He hit harder than anyone I faced, but I hit harder. I showed what level I’m on," Benavidez remarked after the match, acknowledging Morrell's power but asserting his own superiority. The former super-middleweight world champion controlled much of the bout, implementing tactical attacks to every corner of his opponent's body.
This fight not only established Benavidez's reputation but also opened doors for several enticing future matchups. His desire to unify the titles could lead him to clashes with prominent opponents such as Beterbiev, Bivol, or Canelo Alvarez. The latter has been particularly elusive for Benavidez, who has campaigned for the fight over the years. Although Alvarez has rebuffed those desires, the financial lure of such a clash might eventually persuade him otherwise.
Benavidez's aspirations extend beyond mere title holds; he wants to etch his name among the boxing elite. Previous sparring sessions where he felt he had the upper hand against Bivol add to the intrigue of this potential matchup. Benavidez noted, "I feel like I've gotten the best of Bivol during sparring sessions before, and I believe I can do it again if we ever meet."
Additionally, Benavidez has expressed interest in stepping up to fight outside the light heavyweight division against Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez, the reigning unified WBA/WBO cruiserweight champion. "That is definitely a fight we’re eyeing. If we could get it tomorrow, we’d go and fight it, too," he said. With Ramirez's impressive track record of 47 wins, 30 by knockout, this matchup could be as exciting as it is challenging.
Benavidez’s recent win over Morrell Jr. has set the stage for what could be one of the most significant years of his boxing career. With the boxing world watching, he is determined to confirm his place as one of the top fighters of his generation, showcasing his skill, power, and ambition.
Fans and analysts eagerly await his next move, considering the electrifying potential matchups on the horizon. Only time will tell who will face Benavidez next, but one thing is for sure: he’s ready to take on any challenger who steps up to the plate.