Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has shared his thoughts on the upcoming showdown between David Benavidez and David Morrell.
The unbeaten light heavyweights are set to lock horns on February 1 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with Morrell’s WBA ‘regular’ light heavyweight title on the line.
Benavidez has started his campaign at 175lbs very well, picking up the WBC ‘interim’ title with a shut-out points victory over Oleksandry Gvozdyk last June, extending his record to 29-0.
Morrell has won all 11 of his professional contests, claiming the WBA ‘regular’ title at 175lbs last August with a comprehensive decison win over Radivoje Kalajdzic in Los Angeles. He also held the WBA ‘regular’ super middleweight title from 2021 to 2023. defending it successfully six times.
Although most within the sport expect Benavidez comes out on top, Canelo told iFL TV that he is giving Morrell every chance, saying it’s a ’50/50 fight’.
The 34-year-old from Guadalajara has held the unified super middleweight titles and dominated the division for a number of years. He captured the undisputed championship at 168lbs in 2021 when he defeated Caleb Plant in an eleventh round stoppage.
‘The Monster’ was mandatory challenger to Canelo’s WBC title for a period between 2023 and 2024, but after a fight could not be made between both men, Benavidez opted to make the move up to light heavyweight.
The Mexican superstar has received criticism for not agreeing to a fight with Benavidez, although he has left the door open for a potential showdown in the future after revealing he would be willing to move back up to 175lbs once again.
