Jose Benavidez Sr. says his son, “Mexican Monster” David Benavidez, has “nothing to gain” and “everything to lose” in his fight against WBA light heavyweight champion David Morrell on February 1.
The “nothing to gain” argument.
Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) is more known and more experienced against Cuban Morel (11-0, 9 KOs). Fans unfamiliar with Morel, 26, won't give Benavidez credit for beating him. If he loses to him, it will be a disaster, which will ruin his hopes of fighting against Artur Beterbiev, Dimitri Bivol, and Canelo Alvarez.
You wonder why Benavidez bothered to take this fight against Morel when he has 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 years old, just as they showed when they were 168 years old.
The networks and fans were interested in the Benavidez-Murrill fight, and they had to take this risky matchup because the alternatives were just as difficult against Joshua Buatsi.
“The plan for Benavidez's team, '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 Bivol fight, the Zurdo Ramirez fight. I think we have to keep the show going and give the fans what they want to see.
“We just have to stay active. We want to be known as the fighters that didn't run away from anyone or run away from anyone. We're here to deliver fights that the 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 “evaded” anyone, but fans believe Benavidez beat Morell for two years straight, fighting less dangerous men, some of whom were veteran fighters. Benavidez had claimed that they would be better off fighting the popular Demetrius Andrade and Caleb Plant rather than facing Morel. Andrade is unpopular. It also doesn't explain why Benavidez is fighting David Lemieux, Ronald Ellis and Kieron Davis.
“We are fighting a young, strong, left-handed Cuban who is a two-time world champion,” Jose Sr. said. “It is not an easy fight, but I believe in my heart and what I see from David (Benavidez).” ) an exercise; I think it's on another level.
“So, we're here to give you guys a great fight and look amazing to keep claiming the rankings by being the best one day and making history. That's the plan. All of these fights are tough, but like I said. We want to make history.”
If things go Benavidez's way, he will defeat Morel and take on the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol bout. That would make him the undisputed champion at 175, potentially setting him up for a rematch with whoever beats him for all four belts. Canelo might be interested in moving up to light heavyweight to challenge Benavidez for his title because his popularity would be so high.
“We want to show people why we are called the best at 168 and 175, because we continue to fight these dangerous fights like this one. What can be gained from this fight?,” Benavidez Sr. said of the Morel clash on 32 days. “We have everything to lose and nothing to gain.”
Confronting the critics
Jose Sr. is wrong to think that fighting Muriel will do him no good. This fight will increase Benavidez's popularity and fans will praise him.
“When we win this fight, I guarantee you people will say: ‘Oh, we knew David Murrell wasn’t ready.’ We have to keep testing ourselves. We have to give the fans what they want to make history, and we are continuing to learn,” Benavidez Sr. said. .
