Jose Benavidez Sr. says his son, ‘Mexican Monster’ David Benavidez, has “nothing to gain” and “everything to lose” when he fights WBA ‘regular’ light heavyweight champion David Morrell on February 1st.
The “nothing to gain” argument.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KO) is better known and more experienced against the Cuban Morrell (11-0, 9 KO). Fans unfamiliar with Morrell, 26, won’t credit Benavidez with beating him. If he loses to him, it will be a disaster, it will destroy his hopes of fights against Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivolo 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 it when they were 168.
The networks and fans were interested in the Benavidez-Morrell fight, and they had to accept this risky match because the alternatives were equally difficult against Joshua Buatsi.
“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,” said Jose Benavidez Sr YSM Sports media.
Of course, we want the big fights: the Canelo fight, the Beterbiev fight, the Bivolo 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 never avoided anyone or never ran 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 never “tricked” anyone, but fans believe Benavidez has been tricking Morrell for two full years, fighting less dangerous guys, some of whom are veteran fighters. Benavidez claimed that they are better off fighting the well-known Demetrius Andrade and Caleb Planta than facing Morrell. 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 he’s on another level.
“So we are here to give you a great fight and look spectacular to continue to claim through the rankings that one day we will be the best and make history. That’s the plan. All these fights are tough, but like I said. We want to write history.”
If it goes in Benavidez’s favor, he will defeat Morrell and beat the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitri Bivol in a rematch. That would make him the undisputed champion at 175, and likely set up a rematch with whoever he beats to win four belts. Canelo may be interested in moving up to light heavyweight to challenge Benavidez for his title as his popularity would skyrocket.
“We want to show people why they call us the best at 168 and 175 because we keep putting on these dangerous fights like this fight. What can be gained by this fight?” Benavidez Sr. said of the Morrell fight in 32 days. “We have everything to lose and nothing to gain.”
Dealing with critics
Jose Sr. is wrong to think that the fight with Morrell will not benefit him. This fight will increase Benavidez’s popularity and the 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 keep learning,” Benavidez Sr. said.
