David BenavidezDavid Becker/Getty Images
Regardless of who wins, this projects to be a banger.
Both fighters have earned their undefeated records with exciting skills that hare resulted in a lot of finsihes. Nine of Morrell’s 11 career victories have come by way of knockout. Eight of those came within the first four rounds.
The Cuban is a powerful puncher and isn’t afraid to let his hands go early in the fight.
Benavidez has been a little more deliberate in his approach, but the results have mostly been the same. The 28-year-old has knocked out 24 of his 29 opponents in his career, but he has proven that his power carries through a 12-round fight with multiple late-round finishes.
Of course, the rising star is predicting that this one won’t take very long.
“Everyone is going to see a great fight,” Benavidez told media on Wednesday. “I’ve prepared extremely well for this fight. Don’t blink, because this fight is going to end early.”
Going for the early knockout might not actually be in his best interest. There will almost assuredly be an early surge from Morrell to try and get yet another early finish. However, Benavidez’s advantage is his speed and endurance.
Benavidez will likely look to stand his ground in the early going without overextending himself. His movement and defense should carry his strategy in the early rounds when Morrell will be the most dangerous.
That should lead to plenty of fireworks early on.
However, the advantage for Benavidez is how well his speed and power carry into the later rounds.
Morrell is largely untested in those later rounds and that’s when Benavidez can really dial up the pressure. This should be a fun one, but Benavidez could ge the finish in those final few rounds.
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