David Morrell angered fans of David Benavidez by saying on social media that he only knows how to “eat tacos” and “I can’t speak Spanish.” These comments ignited a fire among Benavidez’s fans, who savaged the talented Cuban.
Many believe that the ‘Mexican monster’ will surely knock out Morrell, but that may not be true. Benavidez has become a different fighter since moving up to 175; his power is not there for this weight class.
He is in the light heavyweight category kryptonite for Benavidez. He’s gone from Superman to just an average hitter, and could have trouble against a true 175-pounder like Morrell. The two fighters will meet in 23 days on PBC on Prime Video PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
(Credit: Jacob De Leon/Tim Morrell)
Belly battle
Morrell’s remarks about Benavidez’s eating habits were a reaction to his delicate condition during their first face-to-face meeting. At the time, Benavidez had a pot belly and looked like a long-haul truck driver, used to eating on the road in greasy food joints. That belly was worse than Tyson Fury.
Fortunately, Benavidez appears to have lost some weight. Interestingly, it had only been six months since his last fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15th when he began promoting his February 1st bout against Morrell. How could Benavidez put on so much weight in half a year? He must really let himself go between fights to put on that much weight.
Obviously, Benavidez can’t let his body get out of shape like that in the future because he won’t have much of a career if he can’t make 175 or if he’s forced to wear himself out to make weight. He already looked like a skeleton when he made weight for his debut at 175 last summer, and that was a bad sign.
If Benavidez is already killing himself to make weight at featherweight, he won’t be there much longer before he’s forced to move up to cruiserweight and compete against IBF champion Jai Opetaia.
It’s understandable why WBA ‘regular’ light heavyweight champion Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) commented on Benavidez’s Spanish as he revealed he had trouble understanding it. Benavidez could not keep up with Morrell’s rapid manner of speech.
“I’m ready for February 1st. Long live Mexico, people. Benavidez can’t even speak Spanish,” David Morrell continued social media. “He can eat tacos and shit. May the best win.”
