Benavidez vs. Morrell: Light Heavyweight Showdown Set for Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The light heavyweight division will take center stage on Saturday, February 1, as David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. clash in a highly anticipated interim title fight at T-Mobile Arena. The bout, headlining a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) pay-per-view event, will determine the WBC‘s mandatory challenger for the winner of the upcoming Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch.

Benavidez (29-0), a former two-time super middleweight champion, will defend his interim WBC light heavyweight title, while Morrell (11-0) puts his WBA “Regular” title on the line. The winner will position themselves for a potential shot at the undisputed light heavyweight crown and a future matchup with Canelo Alvarez.

“I’m personally going to break his mouth,” Benavidez said during a pre-fight press conference. “Morrell has been talking about me for a while and disrespecting me. He wanted to make it personal, so I’m going to show him there’s levels to this.”

Morrell, undefeated in his professional career, responded with confidence. “Benavidez is considered one of the most dangerous fighters in boxing, but I’m not scared of monsters. I hunt them down,” he said. “He’s never faced someone like me, and come fight night, he’s going to realize I’m faster, stronger, and smarter.”

The undercard features a rematch between WBC featherweight champion Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton, as well as bouts involving Isaac Cruz and Jesus Ramos Jr. The event will kick off with six preliminary fights streaming for free on Prime Video, followed by the four-fight pay-per-view card priced at $79.95.

Benavidez, 28, is known for his aggressive style and accuracy, landing an average of 22.9 punches per round with a 37.9% connect rate. Morrell, 27, boasts a 78½-inch reach and has won nine of his 11 fights by knockout. Both fighters are stepping up to the light heavyweight division after successful campaigns at super middleweight.

The stakes are high, with the winner earning a mandatory shot at the Beterbiev-Bivol rematch winner. Beterbiev currently holds the WBC, WBO, and IBF titles, while Bivol is the WBA champion. The victor of Saturday’s fight could also position themselves for a lucrative showdown with Canelo Alvarez, a matchup both fighters have openly pursued.

Saturday’s event begins at 7 p.m. CT, with the main event ring walks expected around 10 p.m. CT. Fans can purchase the pay-per-view through Prime Video, with preliminary fights available for free on the platform.