LAS VEGAS – David Benavidez unified the sunshine heavyweight championship by incomes a unanimous determination over challenger David Morrell on Saturday evening to maintain his interim WBC belt and win the WBA title.
Judges Patricia Morse Jarman and Steve Weisfeld each scored the struggle 115-111 whereas Tim Cheatham scored it 118-108.
Cheatham’s scorecard was way more indicative of what befell within the ring, as Benavidez (30-0) dominated almost each spherical, outdoors the third and eleventh.
“That is ‘El Monstro’s’ world,” stated Benavidez, nicknamed The Mexican Monster. “Shout out to Morrell. I knew he’d be powerful and that’s why I ready so onerous for this. I’m joyful we have been capable of give the followers an ideal present tonight.”
Utilizing his size and an arsenal loaded with an array of punches from each angle, Benavidez went from the pinnacle to the physique, whereas persevering with to pepper each of Morrell’s eyes.
Per CompuBox, Benavidez landed 48% of his energy punches, whereas 76 of his 224 landed punches have been physique photographs.
“I ready for every thing, I knew he was an ideal fighter,” Benavidez stated. “That is the largest win of my profession trigger take a look at all of the individuals who got here out and supported me.”
Seemingly cruising to the win, although, Benavidez was caught off-balance within the eleventh spherical when Morrell landed a proper hand. Benavidez stumbled and since his gloves touched the canvas it was dominated a knockdown. However, Morrell was deducted some extent when he threw a punch to Benavidez’s head after the bell.
Benavidez stated he wasn’t fazed.
“I wasn’t shocked by something he did as a result of I knew he was an ideal fighter and that I needed to put together for every thing,” Benavidez stated. “I knew my protection needed to be good. I truly thought he’d hit tougher as soon as we have been in right here.
“He was simpler to hit than I anticipated. Each alternative that I noticed, I went for it.”
Morrell (11-1) suffered the primary lack of his profession after dominating since turning professional in 2019.
“It was an excellent struggle,” Morrell stated. “That is boxing, some days you win and a few days you lose. Tonight was my flip. I’m younger and I’ll preserve pushing for one more alternative.”
Benavidez, who’s from Phoenix and lives in Las Vegas, closed a -350 favourite at BetMGM Sportsbook.
“That is the largest win of my profession up to now due to all of the individuals who got here out right here to help me,” Benavidez stated. “It is a dream come true for me. I simply wish to be one of the best of my period. Whoever I must struggle subsequent, I’ll be prepared for them. I wish to unify all 4 titles, so if that’s subsequent, then that’s subsequent.”
Within the co-main occasion, Stephen Fulton Jr. (23-1) outpointed champion Brandon Figueroa (25-2-1) to win the WBC featherweight belt by unanimous determination. It marked the second time Fulton beat Figueroa, the primary by majority determination on Nov. 27, 2021. Judges David Sutherland and Zachary Younger each scored the bout 116-112, whereas Max DeLuca had it 117-111. Figueroa closed a 3-to-1 favourite.
In a wire-to-wire, action-packed tremendous light-weight brawl, Isaac Cruz (27-3-1) outlasted Angel Fierro (23-3-2) with a unanimous determination in 10 rounds. Per CompuBox, the boxers mixed to land 486 of 1,410 punches thrown. Choose Eric Cheek scored the struggle 98-92. Don Trella had it 97-93. And, Steve Weisfeld had the closest rating, at 96-94. Cruz closed a 9-to-1 favourite.
Middleweight Jesus Ramos Jr. (22-1, 18 KOs) defeated Jeison Rosario (24-5-2) when referee Bob Hoyle stepped in to cease it on the 2:18 mark of the eighth spherical in what was scheduled for 10 rounds. Ramos was successful unanimously on all three judges’ scorecards when the struggle was stopped.
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