David Morrell poured cold water on Jose Benavidez Sr.'s fiery comment to World Boxing News that David Benavidez will beat Morrell into retirement when they fight on February 1st.
Benavidez Sr. told us earlier this week that Morrell “lacked professional skills…he wanted to join the big guys.” [but is] “I'm going to get hurt.” He said it wouldn't surprise Benavidez's father/trainer Jose if his fighter retired Morrell for good.
It's rhetoric that Benavidez himself also said. He told WBN and other reporters that he feels “stronger than he's ever been” and wants to remind everyone that he is “the true 'Mexican Monster.'”
He added: “I always try to eliminate my opponents” when speaking to us this week, just two months after he threatened to do so Break Morrell's jaw. “We will definitely push for it,” he said.
When WBN directed these comments at Morrell, particularly Jose, who noted that the crackdown will be so comprehensive that it would force the Cuban into early retirement at just 26 years old, he responded with a grin.
“Look,” he told us exclusively, “it's one thing to say it, it's another thing to do it. We'll see on February 1st.”
He previously said: “He opened his mouth, challenged me and disrespected my name. That's fine with me because words won't save him when we face each other in the ring.
“All this trash talk just drives me on. He will regret every word if I make him eat his pride one blow at a time.”
Their light heavyweight bout pits two of the division's best fighters against each other and arguably presents a clear challenger for Artur Beterbiev should the knockout slugger face Dmitry Bivol a second time in their rematch on February 22nd.
The match between Benavidez and Morrell also caps a strong offering from Premier Boxing Champions, who put together the Prime Video box office show for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Elsewhere on the main map, Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton have a rematch, albeit at 126 pounds instead of 122. And Jesus Ramos and Jeison Rosario collide in the super welterweight division. Isaac Cruz also returns to the ring as the popular “Pitbull” battles Angel Fierro.
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Alan Dawson is a senior writer for World Boxing News, a two-time Sportswriter of the Year finalist and a five-time BWAA award winner. Follow Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
