David Benavidez triumphed over David Morrell by unanimous decision on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, solidifying his position as one of the top light heavyweight boxers. The judges scored the match 115-111 twice and 118-108, enabling Benavidez to retain his interim WBC title and claiming the WBA regular championship from Morrell.
The match was lively from the first bell, with both fighters exchanging strikes and showing their skills. Benavidez, known as the 'Mexican Monster,' showcased his aggressive style, landing powerful punches particularly to Morrell's body. Meanwhile, the Cuban fighter displayed his own strengths, capitalizing on counterattacks and landing significant blows of his own.
Despite Morrell starting strong, he began to lose momentum by the fifth round, allowing Benavidez to take control of the bout. Controversy arose when Morrell knocked Benavidez down in the eleventh round, marking only the second time Benavidez has visited the canvas during his professional career. "It was tough, but we showed we could withstand and overcome," Benavidez stated post-fight, insisting the knockdown was more of a balance issue than anything else.
Morrell, having held the WBA's belt six times prior with an impeccable record of 11-0, faced the first defeat of his professional career, leaving him with 11-1. "I’ll come back stronger and I want another shot at him," Morrell declared, showing no animosity and recognizing the quality of the match they produced.
Benavidez’s victory opens up potential matchups against top fighters, particularly the winner of the upcoming bout between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, set to unify the belts at 175 pounds on February 22. Beterbiev currently holds the undisputed title, and the matchup has been highly anticipated.
On the undercard, Stephen Fulton defeated Brandon Figueroa once again by unanimous decision, securing his place as the WBC featherweight champion. Their rematch, unlike the first, did not ignite the same spark expected by fans, with Fulton controlling the pace effectively. Figueroa expressed his desire for future fights but acknowledged the need to regroup.
Another highlight of the evening featured Isaac Cruz, who returned to form with his own unanimous decision victory over Ángel Fierro. Cruz engaged aggressively and traded punches with Fierro, eventually controlling the match, finishing with scores of 96-94, 97-93, and 98-92 from the judges.
Boxing fans were treated to multiple exciting fights throughout the evening, with Cruz's performance standing out as he thanked the spectators who came to support him. "The fans saw everything we put on the line, and I hope to give them more to cheer for next time," Cruz said post-fight.
With the subsequent announcement of potential future matches, the boxing world is eager to see how Benavidez's path will shape up and whether he can consolidate his legacy as one of the elite fighters within his division.
Benavidez's career record now stands at 30-0, continuing his unbeaten streak after this pivotal victory. Following the match's end, he expressed his aim to become the best of his era, ready to face whoever is next on the podium.