Photo: Esther Lin / PBC – WBC interim champion David Benavidez and WBA “regular” light heavyweight champion David Morrell Jr. will face off for a potential shot at the winner of Beterbiev-Bivol 2.
David Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) will take on David Morrell Jr. (11-0, 9 KOs) this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In terms of international boxing, I don’t think I’ve been this excited since the first Canelo-GGG fight—because I simply can’t see either of these fighters losing…
Fortunately, it’s no longer September 2017! This time, I have the numbers of 12 experts in my phone to help me make a pick. Here are their predictions.
Marc Ramsay
“I’ll go with an upset… Morrell by split decision.”
1-0 Morrell.
Christian Mbilli
“I’d say Benavidez by stoppage.”
1-1.
Osleys Iglesias
“It’ll be decided in the ring, but at the same time, I think the fighter with the better preparation will win… And I’m leaning slightly toward Morrell.”
2-1 Morrell.
Erik Bazinyan
“I believe Benavidez should get it done.”
2-2.
Samuel Décarie-Drolet
“It’s a tough fight to predict. While Morrell has a strong amateur background and devastating power, we haven’t seen much of him in the pros. If he stays defensively responsible and manages the pressure Benavidez will apply, he has a good chance of winning… But if not, some of Benavidez’s assets—his pressure, toughness, and experience—give him a slight edge. He could wear Morrell down and hurt him late. I’m picking Benavidez by TKO in the 12th round.”
3-2 Benavidez.
Wilkens Mathieu
“I think Morrell will outbox Benavidez. Benavidez won’t be able to walk him down like he did with previous opponents—he’ll feel Morrell’s power. I even think Morrell will drop him and win by unanimous decision, something like 118-109.”
3-3.
Leïla Beaudoin
“Benavidez is huge, even at 175 lbs. But I don’t think he’ll be able to bully Morrell. I really like Morrell’s boxing, I think he’s the better fighter, and I believe he’ll win.”
4-3 Morrell.
Shawn Collinson
“Morrell will have to stop him early. I think Benavidez wins if it goes past the 6th, and if it plays out like I expect, Benavidez will stop him in the 10th or 11th round.”
4-4.
Christopher Guerrero
“Benavidez will take it—and before the final bell.”
5-4 Benavidez.
Moreno Fendero
“Morrell’s amateur experience will make the difference. He’ll know how to handle Benavidez’s pressure and physicality. Morrell wins on points.”
5-5.
Jhon Orobio
“I love both these fighters! Benavidez throws a lot of punches and applies incredible pressure. Morrell, on the other hand, has phenomenal power. But I believe Benavidez will need a KO within the first eight rounds. If not, I’m leaning toward Morrell for the win.”
6-5 Morrell.
Steve Claggett
“I’m picking Benavidez by late stoppage!”
6-6.
Final Result: 6-6
Well. At 6-6, we’re no further ahead.
It’s not exactly something to bet your mortgage on, but it speaks volumes about the quality of the fight. And just saying—the 15-to-1 odds for a draw seem intriguing. Even Morrell, an underdog at 2.45-to-1, looks like an interesting pick.
But either way…
We’ll find out on Saturday on Prime PPV.
