David Benavidez vs. David Morrell: Tale of the Tape

We analyze the credentials and statistics of David Benavidez and David Morrell as the pair get set for a light-heavyweight showdown at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, scheduled for February 1.

The light-heavyweight clash between David Benavidez and David Morrell will headline a PBC pay-per-view card.

It’s an intriguing contest with both fighters undefeated in their professional careers and the duo have both made the step up to the 175lbs division from the super-middleweight ranks.

Benavidez has long chased a showdown with Canelo Alvarez, but with the Mexican showing little interest in that bout, the 28-year-old Phoenix, Arizona native has been forced to take a different path to the top.

Meanwhile, Morrell made a good impression on his light-heavyweight debut in August with a decision victory over Radivoje Kalajdzic.

The winner of the Las Vegas clash will be in line for a shot against either Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol depending on the outcome of their undisputed 175lbs showdown.

David Benavidez vs. David Morrell: Tale of the Tape

Fighter Bio:	David Benavidez	David Morrell
Odds:	-190	+155
Age:	28	26
Nickname:	The Monster Bandera Roja	OD
Height:	6 ft 2 in	6ft 1 in
Reach:	74 in	78 in
Weight:	Light-heavyweight	Light-heavyweight
Trainer:	Jose Benavidez	Ronnie Shields
Record:	29-0 (24 KOs)	11-0 (9 KOs)
Last Fight:	W - UD v Oleksandr Gvozdyk (June 2024)	W - UD v Radivoje Kalajdzic (August 2024)

Read David Benavidez vs. David Morrell: Fight date, ring walk time, undercard, how to watch

David Benavidez profile

David Benavidez a fearsome unbeaten light-heavyweight, who brings a 29-0 (24 KOs) record to the ring.

'The Monster' made waves in the super-middleweight division and the 28-year-old captured the WBC 165lbs title when defeating Ronald Gavril in 2017.

The Arizona-based boxer made three successful defenses of his WBC belt, but Benavidez was stripped of his title in 2020 after weighing in over the super middleweight limit for his fight against Roamer Alexis Angulo.

Benavidez, also known as 'El Bandera Roja,' had long been chasing a huge fight with former undisputed super-middleweight king Canelo Alvarez, but a bout with the Mexican failed to materialize.

The American is a physically strong and imposing fighter and it was no surprise to see the 28-year-old make the move into the light-heavyweight division.

Benavidez made a successful debut in the 175lbs ranks when outpointing Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June and the Monster Bandera Roja now faces his toughest test in the new weight category.

A victory in Vegas could set up a massive clash against the winner of the undisputed light-heavyweight bout between Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Aggressive	Unproven at light-heavyweight
Size	Power may not transfer up in weight
Hand Speed
Work rate and pressure

David Morrell profile

As an amateur fighter, David Morrell was highly regarded and the Cuban has made smooth progress in the professional ranks.

The 26-year-old has a record of 11-0 and nine of his first ten were won by stoppage.

'OD' has been mixing it with lower-level opponents, but the Cuban previously held the WBA super-middleweight title from 2021 to 2024.

It has been a swift rise for Morrell, who has beaten useful performers Aidos Yerbossynuly, Sena Agbeko and Yamaguchi Falcao, but like Benavidez, OD has decided to make the move up to light-heavyweight.

The Cuban debuted in the 175lbs division by comprehensively outpointing Radivoje Kalajdzic in August and Morrell will also be eying a contest against either Beterbiev or Bivol should he come through against the Monster Bandera Roja in Las Vegas.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Power	Unproven at light-heavyweight
Explosiveness	Lacks ring IQ
Movement

Odds mentioned in this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.