A lightweight heavyweight conflict involving David Benavidez and David Morrell “goes to occur” sooner or later, says Bob Santos who has labored with each fighters.
World Boxing Information caught up with Santos this week at his Pound For Pound boxing membership in Las Vegas.
The 2022 Boxing Coach of the Yr labored Morrell’s nook for the Cuban boxer’s latest win over ‘Scorching Rod’ Radivoje Kalajdzic, aiding Ronnie Shields.
Morrell defeated Kalajdzic by choice, a outcome which superior his professional boxing document to 11 wins (9 KOs) however delivered to an finish a knockout run that stretched again to 2020 — his third battle.
“We give Scorching Rod lots of credit score,” Santos advised us. “He’s a proficient fighter, actually lengthy, and he’s been in that weight class for fairly some time.”
“This was David’s first battle at 175, he received 9 out of the 12 rounds, and have become a two-time world champion, in two totally different weight lessons, in 11 professional fights.
“Even within the new weight class, David harm him a pair instances, across the third spherical he hit him with an excellent shot. I talked to Scorching Rod after the battle and he admitted as a lot that David had harm him a pair instances.
“I believe two issues occurred. David began in search of the knockout an excessive amount of, and it’s arduous when a man doesn’t wish to get into an trade, going into survival mode.”
The Kalajdzic win turns into considered one of Morrell’s finest, alongside his knockouts over Sena Agbeko, and Aidos Yerbossynuly — each at tremendous middleweight.
It was at tremendous middleweight the place Morrell’s title turned linked to David Benavidez, who’s a stablemate of his at Premier Boxing Champion.
Benavidez has since gone on to safe large bouts towards Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade, and received each in brutal style.
Benavidez then examined the waters at 175 earlier in the summertime and, like Morrell, didn’t look as devastating as he beforehand had despite the fact that he comfortably defeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
The Mexican fighter has been campaigning for a super-fight towards Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez however the pound-for-pound stalwart has, to date, rebuffed any advances.
It begs the query as as to if Morrell may change into a viable possibility for Benavidez, as each change into acquainted with life at mild heavyweight.
“There’s a battle that’s going to occur,” Santos advised WBN. “There’s no two methods about it.”
He then known as for calm when it got here to any criticism relating to both Benavidez’s debut on the weight, or Morrell’s.
“Once more, in the event you have a look at Benavidez, there’s individuals in all probability saying he’s not the monster we thought he was. Effectively, he’s in his first battle at 175! He fought a extremely, actually good man and, for essentially the most half, he dominated the battle.
“Let’s be real looking, you’re not going to knock all people out. We’ve obtained to cease [knee-jerk reactions] and decide over a time frame.”
It seems Santos has judged each Morrell and Benavidez over a time frame, and tipped Morrell “clearly” as “the higher athlete.”
He stated: “I believe he’s obtained the quicker ft, quick palms, and he’s lengthy.”
Alan Dawson is World Boxing Information Lead Author, a 2 x Sports activities Journalist of the Yr finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Moreover, comply with Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
