Three-time former cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis predicts that David Morrell’s Cuban schooling as a boxer since childhood will lead to his victory over David Benavidez on February 1st.
Benavidez won’t be able to bully Morrell as he did when he fought against smaller, weaker, and older fighters when competing at 168. Morrell is the same size, younger, stronger, and won’t be bullied the way the fighters were beaten at super middleweight by Benavidez.
Fans viewed ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez as a weight bully all those years, gaming the system by melting down to compete against smaller fighters in a division below his massive light heavyweight/cruiserweight frame.
Benavidez didn’t resemble the same fighter in his last fight when he moved up to 175 against Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15th.
Can Morrell Shock The World?
Briedis says that “everybody” believes WBC interim light heavyweight champion Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) is going to knock out Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs), but he feels that his Cuban background will be too much for ‘The Mexican Monster’ in their headliner at the T-Mobile Arena.
Mairis says Morrell can fight from the outside, throw with power, and fight on the inside. He’s seen all fighting styles during his years in Cuba on the National team. So, what Benavidez brings to the table in this fight won’t be new to him.
Morrell has arguably fought better fighters than Benavidez in Cuba, going up against two-time Olympic gold medalist Julio Cesar La Cruz. That fighter would be a nightmare for Benavidez due to his size, power, and technical skills.
Politics In The Ring?
One question made for the Benavidez-Morrell fight is the judging. As Briedis points out, Benavidez is from the United States, whereas Morrell is from Cuba. He mentions politics. If the fight goes to the cards, will the more popular fighter, Benavidez, the one with the huge fanbase in the U.S., be given the decision, even if it appears he’s lost?
In Benavidez’s last fight in Las Vegas against Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk last June, he was given a wide 12-round unanimous decision in a contest that appeared to be razor-close. Gvozdyk looked like he won five to six rounds in that fight, but the Nevada judges scored it to Benavidez by this lopsided set of scores: 116-112, 117-111, and 119-109.
I watched the fight and had it 114-114. Benavidez appeared to lose one of the first six rounds, and then the last five as Gvozdyk came on strong with power punches against the fatigued ‘Mexican Monster.’ So, if the Benavidez-Morrell fight goes to the scorecards, will Morrell be given similar treatment? Does he need a knockout to win against the popular Benavidez with his huge fanbase in Nevada and the crowd on his side at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas?
Cuban Schooling
“Everybody thinks Benavidez will win by TKO, but I think Morrell comes from Cuba and Cuba are very strong boxers. It’s a national sport for boxing,” said Mairis Briedis on his YouTube channel, analyzing the David Benavidez vs. David Morrell fight on February 1st.
“Morrell is a very smart guy, a young guy, and he can fight at long distances or like a puncher. This is two punchers that meet in the ring. My prediction, I think Morrell. They show something new for Benavidez. The speed, the strong punches, and some interesting Cuban techniques.
“My prediction is I think Morrell wins by unanimous decision. Benavidez fought with stronger opponents than Morrell. I mean, Morrell didn’t fight with very strong guys. I hope Morrell will win by unanimous decision.
In the USA, there are some small politics. Why because he [Benavidez] comes from the USA, and his fans come from the USA. Morrell is a Cuban guy, and what they do from childhood is boxing.”
Morrell has been fighting since he was a child in Cuba against better fighters than Benavidez. He has also had a tougher life than Benavidez. His upbringing, along with his superior speed, power, athletic ability, and technical skills, gives him a tremendous advantage in this fight.
“The winner [of Benavidez vs. Morrell] will fight against Beterbiev or Bivol. Benavidez-Morrell will be a very hard fight, and the next step is the hardest fight against Beterbiev or Bivol,” said Briedis.
