Jose Benavidez Sr. Downplays David Morrell as a Threat to David Benavidez in 2025 Showdown

Renowned boxing trainer Jose Benavidez Sr. has dismissed the idea that WBA ‘regular’ light heavyweight champion David Morrell poses a significant threat to his son, WBC interim 175-lb champion David Benavidez. According to Benavidez Sr., Morrell lacks the experience and technical prowess of David’s previous opponents, Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade, which makes him less of a challenge in their proposed January 2025 bout.

Jose Sr.'s confidence in his son's abilities appears to be a key reason why he views Morrell as a safer option for their next fight. He believes Morrell doesn’t match up to the skill sets of fighters like Plant and Andrade, who David Benavidez has already defeated. With a professional record of 11-0, including nine knockouts, Morrell has gained attention for his power and technical abilities, but Benavidez Sr. doesn’t think it will be enough to overcome his son’s aggressive style.

Morrell's Recent Performance: A Cause for Doubt?

In his most recent fight on August 3, 2024, Morrell won a unanimous decision over Radivoje Kalajdzic, a former light heavyweight world title challenger. While Morrell hurt Kalajdzic several times with his powerful left hand, he failed to deliver a knockout, leading to questions about his ability to finish off high-level opponents. Benavidez Sr. pointed out that in contrast, Artur Beterbiev knocked out Kalajdzic in the fifth round back in 2019.

Benavidez Sr. criticized Morrell for focusing too much on landing single, powerful shots, rather than unleashing combinations. In his view, this style won’t work against a fighter like David Benavidez, who thrives on applying constant pressure and overwhelming opponents with flurries of punches. Benavidez Sr. argued that if Morrell doesn’t change his approach and rely on combinations rather than single punches, it will be difficult for him to knock out his son, who has shown resilience in the ring.

The Benavidez Approach: Pressure and Combinations

David Benavidez’s fighting style is built around relentless pressure, fast combinations, and the ability to absorb punches while moving forward. At 29-0 with 24 knockouts, Benavidez has developed a reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters in his weight class. His large frame allows him to dominate the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, using his size and power to control fights.

Jose Benavidez Sr. believes that Morrell’s inexperience will show when he faces the kind of pressure David will bring. "What I see is a lack of experience. David throws a lot of combinations, a lot of punches, and Morrell throws fewer punches," Benavidez Sr. explained in a recent interview. He added that Morrell has never faced an opponent who applies the same kind of sustained pressure that David Benavidez does, and that this will be a key factor in their bout.

Despite Morrell’s technical abilities, Benavidez Sr. predicts that the Cuban fighter won’t be able to handle the pace that David sets in the ring. Morrell has shown impressive skill when controlling the pace of a fight, but Benavidez Sr. doubts that he can keep up once the pressure is on, especially given the lack of experience against top-level opponents like David Benavidez.

A Potential Weakness for Benavidez?

While Benavidez Sr. is confident in his son's abilities, there is still the question of how well David Benavidez will handle the power that Morrell brings. Morrell is known for his single-punch knockout power, and even if he doesn’t rely on combinations, one well-placed punch could change the course of the fight. Benavidez Sr. acknowledges that David has never faced an opponent with the kind of power that Morrell possesses.

Morrell's ability to land power shots, particularly his left hand, will be something to watch in this fight. If he can catch David with a clean punch, it could test Benavidez's durability and force him to adjust his game plan. However, Benavidez Sr. remains confident that his son’s size and toughness will allow him to withstand Morrell's power and ultimately prevail.

A Comparison to Previous Opponents

Jose Benavidez Sr. believes that Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade were more dangerous opponents for David than Morrell. Plant, known for his technical skill and footwork, gave Benavidez a challenging fight before ultimately being stopped in the sixth round. Andrade, though not known for his power, also posed a unique challenge with his awkward style and experience.

According to Benavidez Sr., these fighters were better prepared and more talented than Morrell at this stage in their careers. "We faced a lot of people like Morrell. I think Caleb Plant is a better fighter than Morrell. I think ‘Boo Boo’ [Demetrius Andrade] is a better fighter," said Benavidez Sr. He added that Morrell is still improving with each fight but hasn’t yet reached the level of Plant or Andrade in terms of skill or experience.

Despite his criticisms, Benavidez Sr. acknowledges that Morrell is a dangerous opponent and will pose a significant challenge for David. If Morrell can adapt his style, throw more combinations, and use his power effectively, he could upset Benavidez and claim the WBC interim title. However, Benavidez Sr. remains confident that his son’s pressure, experience, and size advantage will ultimately be too much for Morrell to handle.

The Role of Weight and Size in the Fight

One of the factors that could play a role in this fight is the size difference between the two fighters. David Benavidez is known for his large frame, which allows him to fight effectively at both 168 and 175 pounds. According to some analysts, Benavidez’s size gives him an advantage, as he is essentially a cruiserweight who can still make weight in the light heavyweight and super middleweight divisions.

Benavidez Sr. believes that his son’s size will be a major factor in the fight against Morrell. He has previously called for the sport to reintroduce fight-day weigh-ins or implement a 10-pound rehydration limit to prevent fighters from cutting too much weight. However, as things stand, Benavidez's ability to make weight while maintaining his size gives him a physical edge over many of his opponents, including Morrell.

As the January 2025 bout between David Benavidez and David Morrell approaches, the stakes are high for both fighters. For Morrell, a victory would solidify his status as one of the top light heavyweights in the world and position him for a shot at the WBC title. For David Benavidez, the fight is an opportunity to prove his dominance in the division and set up a future showdown with Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed light heavyweight championship.

While Benavidez Sr. downplays Morrell’s chances, the fight promises to be a thrilling matchup between two of the most talented fighters in the sport today. Whether Morrell can overcome Benavidez’s pressure and power remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this fight will be one to watch.