Jose Benavidez Sr. says his son, “The Mexican Monster,” David Benavidez, has “Nothing to Gain” and “Everything to Lose” in his fight against “regular” WBA Lightweight 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 credit to Benavidez for beating him. If he loses to him, it will be a disaster, ruining his hopes of fights against Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol and Canelo Alvarez.
You wonder why Benavidez even bothered taking 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 were at 168.
The networks and fans were interested in the Benavidez-Morrell fight and had to take this risky fight because the alternatives were just as difficult against Joshua Buatsi.
“Team Benavidez’s plan, ‘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 Benavidez Sr. said YSM Sports Media.
Of course, we want the big fights: the Canelo fight, the Beterbiev fight, the Bivol fight and the Zurdo Ramirez fight. I think we have to keep showing and giving the fans what they want to see.
“We just have to stay active. We want to be known as the fighters who never shut anyone down or ran from anyone. We’re here to deliver the fights fans want to see. I think this is a tough fight that the fans want to see,” Benavidez Sr. said.
Jose Sr. says they never “touched” anyone, but fans believe Benavidez chased Morel for two solid years, fighting less dangerous guys, some of them old fighters. Benavidez had argued that it was better for them to fight well-known Demetrius Andrade and Caleb Plant than to face Morrell. Andrade is not popular. It also doesn’t explain why Benavidez fought David Lemieux, Ronald Ellis and Kyrone Davis.
“We’re fighting a Cuban who’s 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 for David (Benavidez) training; I think he’s on another level.
“Well, we are here to give you a great fight and look spectacular to continue to claim through the rankings that one day we are the best and make history. This is the plan. All these matches are tough, but like I said. We want to make history.”
If it works out for Benavidez, he’ll beat Morrell and beat the winner of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol. That would make him the undisputed champion at 175, and likely set up a rematch with whoever wins to capture the four belts. Canelo might be interested in moving up to light heavyweight to challenge Benavidez for his title because his popularity would be sky high.
“We want to show the world why they call us the best at 168. and 175, why we keep getting these dangerous fights like this fight. What can you gain from this fight?’ Benavidez Sr. said. for the Morrell clash in 32 days. “We have everything to lose and nothing to gain.”
Facing the critics
Jose Sr. makes the mistake of thinking that fighting Morel will not benefit him. This fight will increase Benavidez’s popularity and the fans will praise him.
“When we win this game, 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 going to learn,” Benavidez Sr. said.
