by Joseph Herron: The highly anticipated showdown of boxing's next superstar, titled “The Coronation of King David: Benavidez vs. Morell,” is scheduled to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 1, 2025. The main event pits two undefeated fighters, David Benavidez ( 29-0, 24 KOs) and David Morrell Jr. (11-0, 9 KOs), against each other in a clash that has already sparked a fiery war of words between the two camps.
Adding to the growing anticipation, celebrity boxing trainer James Gouge, who has five decades of experience in the sport, recently weighed in on the risks on the WAW BOXING podcast. While Benavidez is currently the betting favorite (-180) at most sportsbooks, Gouge believes the Phoenix native faces a formidable challenge.
“David Morrell Jr. is an incredibly talented fighter,” Gouge said. “You can see his natural talent from the moment he made his debut five years ago. He is an explosive two-handed hitter, with exceptional hand and foot speed, quick reflexes, and excellent hand-eye coordination. His ability to switch seamlessly between orthodox and southpaw stances makes him Dangerous in any situation Moreover, his timing, understanding of range and distance, and versatility – whether fighting at medium range, long range or in close quarters – make him the complete package.
Benavidez's team has criticized Morel's relatively short career, arguing that his lack of experience may be a disadvantage. However, Gouge counters these doubts with several convincing arguments.
“Yes, Morel only has 11 professional bouts on his record, but he has a deep amateur lineage,” Gouge explained. “He has faced every amateur style imaginable. Add to that his athleticism and the guidance of Ronnie Shields, one of the most experienced coaches in boxing, and he doesn't need 40 professional fights to take on the best in the division.”
Morrill's Hall of Fame trainer, Ronnie Shields, echoed those sentiments during his podcast, “Real Boxing with Ronnie Shields.”
“David Morrell Jr. is the most athletically gifted fighter in boxing today,” Shields asserted. “He is ready to humiliate David Benavidez on February 1. The real question fans should be asking is whether fighters like Benavidez, Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev are ready for Morel.”
While Morell's skills and potential are widely recognised, Gouge highlighted a crucial unknown in this defining match of his career.
“There's a lot to like about Morrell and his future, but we've never seen him in a tough fight,” Gouge noted. “We don't know how he'll handle adversity or how strong his chin is. In boxing, there's a saying: Don't overestimate your opponent until you see how well he can take punches. We'll likely get that answer on February 1 when he faces someone like Benavidez, who He knocked out 24 opponents in just 29 fights.
The stakes couldn't be higher as the boxing world awaits the outcome of “The Coronation of King David: Benavidez vs. Morell.” This epic clash will not only determine the next dominant force in the light heavyweight division, but will also introduce boxing's next superstar to the American market. Tune in on Saturday, February 1 for the PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video, starting at 8pm ET/5pm PT.
