David Benavidez vs David Morrell next at 175-pounds
By Eddie Sanchez
David Benavidez will face David Morrell in a high-stakes light heavyweight bout, as Benavidez announced Tuesday on Instagram. The 175-pound fight will headline a PBC pay-per-view card, set for Jan. 25 in Las Vegas, according to sources from ESPN.
Originally, Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) was in talks to fight fringe contender Jesse Hart on Dec. 14, on the undercard of the Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach title bout. However, he secured a more significant matchup in Morrell.
Benavidez, 27, has long pursued a fight with Canelo Álvarez, but with Álvarez showing little interest, Benavidez made the jump from 168 to 175 pounds this summer, earning a decision win over Oleksandr Gvozdyk. A former two-time titleholder at super middleweight, Benavidez is now ranked No. 3 at light heavyweight.
Morrell, 26, ranked No. 4 at 175 pounds, also moved up in weight this summer, securing a unanimous decision over Radivoje Kalajdzic in his most challenging fight to date. The upcoming bout will mark the toughest test in Benavidez’s career.
