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Jose Benavides Sr. says his son, ‘Mexican Monster’ David Benavides, has “nothing to gain” and “everything to lose” when he fights ‘regular’ WBA light heavyweight champion David Morrell on February 1st.
The “Nothing to Gain” Argument.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) is better known and more experienced against Cuban Morel (11-0, 9 KOs). Fans unfamiliar with Morrell, 26, won’t give Benavidez credit for beating him. If he loses to him, it will be a disaster, destroying his hopes of fights against Artur Beterbiev, Dmitri Bivol and Canelo Alvarez.
Makes you wonder why Benavidez bothered to take this fight against Morrell with so much to lose. Jose Sr. says they accepted the challenge because they want to prove to the fans that they are the best at 175, just like they showed when they were 168.
Networks and fans were interested in the Benavidez-Morel fight, and they had to accept this risky matchup because the alternatives were just as difficult against Joshua Boissy.
“The plan for Team Benavidez, the ‘Mexican Monster,’ is to make history and be the best in the division.” We’re here to give the fans what they want to see,” Jose Benavides Sr. said ISM Sports Media.
Of course, we want the big fights: the Canelo fight, the Beterbiev fight, the Buffalo fight and the Zurdo Ramirez fight. I believe we have to continue to show and give the fans what they want to see.
“We just have to stay active.” We want to be known as fighters who have never backed down from anyone or never run from anyone. We’re here to deliver the fights the fans want to see. I believe this is a tough fight that the fans want to see,” Benavidez Sr. said.
Jose Sr. says they’ve never “bent” anyone, but fans believe Benavidez has been bending Morelo for two solid years, fighting less dangerous guys, some of whom are veteran fighters. Benavidez argued that they are better off fighting the likes of Demetrius Andrade and Caleb Plant than facing Morel. Andrade is not popular. It also doesn’t explain why Benavidez fought David Lemieux, Ronald Ellis and Kyrone Davis.
“We are fighting a Cuban who is young, strong, left-handed and a two-time world champion,” Jose Sr. said. “It’s not an easy fight, but I believe in my heart and what I see about David (Benavidez) training; I think it’s on another level.
“So we are here to give you a great fight and make you look spectacular so that you can continue to claim that you will one day be the best and make history.” That’s the plan. All these fights are tough, but like I said. We want to make history.”
If it goes in Benavidez’s favor, he will defeat Morel and win the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch. That would make him the undisputed champion at 175, and likely set up a rematch with whoever he defeats to win four belts. Canelo may be interested in moving up to light heavyweight to challenge Benavidez for the title as his popularity would be high.
“We want to show people why they call us the best at 168 and 175 because we continue to make these dangerous fights like this fight. What’s to be gained from this fight?” Benavides Sr. said of the Morrell showdown in 32 days. “We have everything to lose and nothing to gain.
Facing The Critics
Jose Sr. is wrong to think that the fight against Morel will not benefit him. This fight will increase Benavidez’s popularity and fans will praise him.
“When we win this fight, I guarantee you people will say, ‘Oh, we knew David Morrell wasn’t ready.’ We have to keep testing ourselves. We have to give the fans what they want to make history and we continue to learn,” Benavides Sr. said.
