Morrell’s Cuban schooling to topple Benavidez

Former three-time cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis predicts that David Morrell’s Cuban schooling as a boxer since childhood will lead to his victory over David Benavidez on February 1st.

Benavidez he will not be able to harass Morrell as he did when he fought smaller, weaker and older fighters when he was competing at 168. Morrell is the same size, younger, stronger and won’t be bullied the same way fighters were beaten at super middleweight by Benavidez.

Fans saw “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez as a bantamweight bully all those years, playing the system by melting down to compete against smaller fighters in a division below his huge lightweight/cruiserweight frame.

Benavidez didn’t look like the same fighter in his last fight when he moved up to 175 against Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15th.

Can Morrell impact the world?

Briedis says “everyone” believes interim WBC light heavyweight champion Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) will knock out Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs), but feels his Cuban background will be too much for “The “. Mexican Monster’ in their headliner at T-Mobile Arena.

Mairis says Morrell can fight from the outside, throw with power and fight inside. He has seen all styles of fighting during his years in Cuba on the national team. So what Benavidez will bring to the table in this fight won’t be new to him.

Morrell has arguably fought better fighters than Benavidez in Cuba, facing the two-time Olympic gold medalist. July Cessar La Creu. That fighter would be a nightmare for Benavidez because of his size, power and technical skills.

Politics in the ring?

One question asked for the Benavidez-Morrell fight is the court. As Briedis points out, Benavidez is from the United States, while Morrell is from Cuba. Mention politics. If the fight goes to the cards, will the more popular fighter, Benavidez, the one with a huge fan base in the US, get the decision, even if it looks like he’s lost?

In Benavidez’s last fight in Las Vegas against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Gvozdyk last June, he was handed a wide 12-round unanimous decision in what looked to be a very close contest. Gvozdyk appeared to win five to six rounds in that fight, but the Nevada judges scored Benavidez with this set of lopsided scores: 116-112, 117-111 and 119-109.

I watched the fight and had it 114-114. Benavidez appeared to lose one of the first six rounds, and then the last five as Gvozdyk came in strong with power punches against the fatigued “Mexican Monster.” So, if the Benavidez-Morrell fight goes to the scorecards, will Morrell get similar treatment? Does he need a knockout to win against the popular Benavidez with his huge fan base in Nevada and the crowd on his side at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas?

Cuban school

“Everyone thinks Benavidez will win by TKO, but I think Morrell is from Cuba and Cuba are very strong boxers. It’s a national sport for boxing,” said Mairis Briedis YouTube channel, analyzing the fight between David Benavidez and David Morrell on February 1st.

“Morrell is a very smart guy, a young guy, and he can fight at long range or as a puncher. It’s about two punchers who are in the ring. My prediction, I think Morrell. They show something new for Benavidez. Speed, hard hitting and some interesting Cuban techniques.

“My prediction is that I think Morrell wins by unanimous decision. Benavidez fought stronger opponents than Morrell. I mean, Morrell didn’t fight really strong guys. I hope Morrell wins by unanimous decision.

In the US, there is a bit of politics involved. Why because he (Benavidez) comes from the USA, and his fans come from the USA. Morrell is a Cuban boy, and what they have been doing since childhood is boxing.”

Morrell has been fighting since childhood in Cuba against better fighters than Benavidez. He’s also had a tougher life than Benavidez. His education, along with his speed, power, athletic ability, and superior technical skills, give him a huge advantage in this fight.

“The winner (of Benavidez vs. Morrell) will fight Beterbiev or Bivol. Benavidez-Morrell will be a very tough fight, and the next step is the tougher fight against Beterbiev or Bivol,” said Briedis.