Chris Algieri is leaning towards David Benavidez beating David Morrell at 175 in early 2025. He feels that Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) is the larger man at gentle heavyweight than Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs), who holds the WBA ‘common’ 175-lb title.
At 168, Algieri feels that Morrell would doubtlessly win due to the difficulties that Benavidez has in getting right down to that weight. The 2 fighters are anticipated to satisfy on January twenty fifth in a conflict that also has but to be made official.
Benavidez, 27, lately made his debut at 175, defeating former WBC gentle heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk by a 12-round unanimous choice on June fifteenth to win the interim World Boxing Council belt.
He didn’t look nice within the debut, operating out of fuel after six rounds and taking a variety of heavy photographs from Gvozdyk in rounds 7 by 12. If Benavidez fights like that towards Morrell, he may get knocked out as a result of he punches more durable than Gvozdyk and will probably be hitting him with huge photographs.
“I most likely favor Benavidez as a result of it’s at 175. If it was at 168, I’ll favor Morrell,” mentioned Chris Algieri to Inside Boxing Stay on the David Morrell vs. David Benavidez struggle in early 2025. “I believe David Benavidez struggling to get right down to 168 took slightly bit out of him, though he had the benefit of being the larger man. I believe Morrell was excellent for 168. Such an unbelievable physique for that weight class. The facility, the size, all of that.
Benavidez-Morrell will probably be at 175, not 168, as a result of each guys have given up on the tremendous middleweight division as a result of there are extra alternatives for fascinating fights within the gentle heavyweight division. Canelo Alvarez is doing different issues along with his profession at 168 and by no means confirmed any curiosity in combating Benavidez or Morrell.
Morrell may very well be an issue for Benavidez at 175 if he can enhance his work charge from what he confirmed in his debut within the division towards Radivoje “Scorching Rod” Kalajdzic on August third. The unbeaten Morrell was dropping up on single photographs and never profiting from the quite a few instances he harm Kalajdzic as a result of he wasn’t placing his punches collectively together kind.
The struggle ended up being more durable than it ought to have been for Morrell due to that on the constructive facet. Benavidez picked Morrell as a result of he appeared dangerous, and he wouldn’t have gotten the struggle towards him if he’d shined towards Hotrod.
“I believe at 175, I’d favor Benavidez. At 168, I’ll favor Morrell. He’s incredible,” mentioned Algieri, “Regardless, this struggle, no matter weight class that it occurs at, it’s a really powerful struggle. It’s a really shut struggle. I’m very completely satisfied it’s on the docket. I can’t wait till we get there since you by no means know on this sport. It’s an thrilling time that we’ve acquired these younger guys combating one another.”
If Morrell wins, there will probably be a variety of followers dumping on Benavidez for taking this struggle when he didn’t should. He may have simply waited for his necessary title shot towards WBC gentle heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.
