Can David Benavidez avoid being knocked out by David Morrell?

Sportscaster Stephen A. Smith is concerned that David Benavidez will get hurt because he stands in front of his opponents, doesn’t move, and doesn’t use any head movement. Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) stands in front of his opponent and releases his hands.

WBC interim light heavyweight champion Benavidez could get hurt in his next fight when he faces David Morell on February 1 in their 12-round clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on main video.

If Benavidez is knocked out in this fight, he will have to decide whether to try to return to 168 or stay at 175 and be content with being a contender instead of a world champion.

Morrell is as big as Benavidez but much stronger, faster and with more technical talent. He came from the Cuban boxing school and didn’t learn all the bad habits Benavidez had during his years fighting smaller opponents.

Smith is a big fan of Benavidez and still seems to have his mind set on Canelo Alvarez, who needs to fight him. That fight is not going to happen. Now they are in different divisions and Canelo is finishing his career at 168, picking and choosing.

Benavidez, 28, has developed a style that has worked for him because he has been bigger than his opponents, fighting in a division below his frame for 11 years at 168 before finally moving up to 175.

In his debut at 175 against Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15, we witnessed Benavidez take frequent hits. In the future, he won’t be able to score knockouts like he did when fighting smaller fighters at 168.

“I am a great admirer of David Benavidez. I love Canelo too, but I don’t like the fact that Canelo is taking so long to give him a fight,” Stephen A. Smith told the Sean Zittel channel. “I applaud David Benavidez because he does not avoid anyone and is ready to fight at all times.

“He is ‘The Mexican Monster.’ Sometimes I wonder if someone is going to hurt him because he is right in front of them. He doesn’t move, but he clearly shows that he can take a hit and that he can deliver one with either hand,” Smith continued about Benavidez.

“He has speed, he has power, he has boxing ability and he has heart. I don’t know if there is a bigger fan of David Benavidez than me. “I love his skills and I want to see him on the big stage,” Smith said.

Stephen A. is a casual boxing fan, not a hardcore fan, who follows the sport closely. Hence, he does not realize that Benavidez is no longer in Canelo’s orbit. He also does not seem to be aware that Benavidez never fought against elite opposition to earn his ‘Mexican Monster’ nickname in the true sense. He was essentially a heavyweight bruiser who fought older and smaller veterans.

The handshake incident

“Benavidez made a mistake trying to shake his hand. “Those Cuban guys have a playful attitude, but they really hate it when they think someone can beat them,” coach Greg Hackett said in YSM Sports Mediatalking about today’s altercation.

After all the things Benavidez said about Morrell, there was no chance he would shake his hand during today’s showdown in Miami. Benavidez shouldn’t have even tried to shake Morrell’s hand because he was asking for trouble.

“When Benavidez approached him and tried to shake his hand, he shouldn’t have done so. Morrell said, ‘No, we’re not on that.’ Let’s rumble. All that shit you were talking about me and now you want to shake my hand?’”