In a spectacle set to electrify the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, David Benavidez prepares to square off against David Morrell in Saturday marquee showdown. This high-stakes battle headlining a PBC PPV event on Prime Video at 6 p.m. ET, pits two undefeated warriors for supremacy in the light heavyweight division.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) the reigning WBC interim titlist at 175 pounds, has ascended into the weight class with a singular purpose: to establish dominance. Across the ring, Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs), the WBA’s reigning regular champion, steps onto the grand stage eager to cement his claim as a force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, Artur Beterbiev looms as the division undisputed monarch, holding the ultimate crown.
Benavidez, long in pursuit of a career-defining clash against super middleweight kingpin Canelo Alvarez, saw his aspirations stymied time and again. Faced with roadblocks, he opted to climb in weight, making an emphatic statement in his 175-pound debut by outclassing Oleksandr Gvozdyk via unanimous decision.
“This is the fight where I put my full arsenal on display,” Benavidez declared during a January open workout in Las Vegas. “Against Gvozdyk, I battled through injuries, through adversity, and still stood toe-to-toe with an elite fighter. I proved my resilience, but this time, I’m here to leave no doubt.
“I go into every fight with bad intentions—I want to take my opponent out. It doesn’t always happen, but trust me, I’m coming for it. And with Morrell, it’s personal.”
Morrell, a decorated amateur standout, embarked on his professional voyage in August 2019. The Cuban powerhouse unleashed his fury in the ring, obliterating nine of his first ten opponents. However, his latest outing—a grueling decision victory over Radivoje Kalajdzic on the undercard of Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov—showcased his ability to endure when needed. Now, he eyes his seventh consecutive WBA title defense, determined to prove his mettle.
“Benavidez has a reputation as one of the sport’s most ferocious competitors,” Morrell remarked during his Texas training camp. “But once I dismantle him, the world will know what I bring to the table.
“They call him ‘The Mexican Monster,’ but I don’t run from monsters—I exterminate them. He’s never encountered a fighter like me, and when the bell rings, he’ll learn the hard way. I’m quicker, more powerful, and more cerebral than anyone he’s ever shared a ring with.”
With tensions boiling and egos clashing, this electrifying encounter promises to deliver a collision of raw power, unshakable will, and championship aspirations.