Teddy Atlas Shares Honest Verdict On Benavidez vs Morrell Fight: “A Very Dangerous Risk”
The focus of the boxing world has been on the light-heavyweight division recently and that will continue when David Benavidez takes on David Morrell.
An undisputed champion was crowned at 175lbs when Artur Beterbiev defeated Dmitry Bivol by majority decision in Saudi Arabia to secure all four world title belts.
The next major fight to take place in the division will see Benavidez face Morrell in January – yet to be officially announced but confirmed by Benavidez himselg – with the winner in line for a crack at Beterbiev or whoever holds the WBC belt down the line.
Respected trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas explained to Fighthype exactly what makes the bout so intriguing.
“That’s an interesting fight. It’s a very dangerous fight for both guys. It’s two guys in there with their futures in front of them and they’re both taking a big risk. That’s what makes this fight so special.
“They’re taking a risk when a lot of fighters wouldn’t. They’d say ‘no I’m waiting for a bigger fight.’ Not a bigger fight as far as danger, but as far as a pay day.
“A guy like Morrell, not a lot of fighters at this stage of their career would go and take on a dangerous fight like Benavidez. And Benavidez, give him credit too.
“He didn’t get the Canelo fight, and was right in line for winner of Bivol Beterbiev. What does he do? Does he sit around? No, he takes this one. I’m really curious for that fight I really am.”
Benavidez hopes that winning world titles in the 175 ranks will entice the man he has been chasing for years, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, into a bout.
