Las Vegas- Rising star David Benavidez also known as Mexican Monster thrilled boxing fans at The T-Mobile Arena and those watching on Prime Pay Per View on Saturday night with an exciting decision win over previously unbeaten, highly regarded Cuban, David Morrell. Twelve round contest in light heavyweight division produced high level of intensity, skills and nonstop action that had fans on their feet for long periods of time chanting either “ Mexico!” for Benavidez or “Cuba!” for Morrell. And when the dust finally settled and the final bell rang, David Benavidez emerged as a clear unanimous decision victor. All three judges scored the fight for Benavidez, 115-111 twice and 118-109, a card that seemed wide considering how closely this fight was contested. No one leaving the arena asked for their money back.
“This is El Monstro’s world!” exclaimed Benavidez post fight:”Shout out to Morrell, I knew he’d be tough and that’s why I prepared so hard for this fight. I am happy we were able to give fans a great show tonight.”
Benavidez came out firing on all cylinders from the opening bell. He pressed the action firing his powerful combinations and unleashed vicious hooks to the body early and often. But every time it looked like Benavidez would take control of the action Morrell came back striking his own lightning fast combinations mostly to the head that kept Benavidez honest.
First four rounds of the fight were thrilling intense and very competitive, but in the fifth Benavidez found another gear or to be more accurate, he launched his brutal uppercut that snapped Morrell’s chin over and over again. Benavidez took over the fight in the middle rounds, but Morrell came back strong in the championship rounds and looked the fresher fighter down the stretch, even though it was a little too late. Eleventh stanza featured some questionable calls by referee Thomas Taylor, who called a knock down when Benavidez slipped and his glove touched a canvas and then he promptly penalized Morrell for hitting after the bell rang. In retrospect these calls had no effect on the outcome of the fight.
“This is the biggest win of my career so far because of all the people who came out here to support me, “concluded Benavidez: This is a dream come true for me. “
Morrell Jr was gracious in defeat:”It was a good fight. This is boxing, some days you win and some days you lose. Tonight was my turn. I’m young and I’ll keep pushing for another opportunity. “
Benavidez waited for several years for a chance to face superstar Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight title; he then decided that he couldn’t wait any longer and moved up to light heavyweight division. This move proved to be brilliant as he is now in line to face the winner of Beterbiev vs. Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight title.
“I just want to be the best of my era,” said Benavidez:” Whoever I need to fight next, I’ll be ready for them. I want to unify all four titles, so if that’s next, then that’s next. “
Even though the main event on Saturday night was a tremendous action fight, the super lightweight fire fight between Isaac “Pit-bull” Cruz and Angel Fierro might have stolen the show. It was ten rounds of nonstop action that featured extreme violence and brutality. And what combatants lacked in defense, they more than overcompensated with aggression and offence. This was what boxing fans call the epitome of Mexican style.
As soon as his muzzle came off Pit-bull assaulted his opponent like a starving dog. He unleashed vicious shots from everywhere seemingly driving Fierro back with every thudding punch. It looked like it was going to be an early night, but Angel Fierro weathered the storm and by the third stanza the real brawl broke out as these two regal warriors bombed each other with frenzied pace unmatched to anything I have ever seen, while crowd, on their feet, wailed in delirium. And so they went punch for punch, blow by blow, grunt by grunt until the final bell.
Issac Cruz was announced a winner, but the real winner were fans who got to witness an early candidate of the year battle live.
“I came here to fight and to show the world the best of what I can do and I think I did that,” said Cruz post fight:” I am so happy that I gave fans a great fight with a lot of pressure like I always do and I am proud to do it with my family here watching. Fierro deserves all the respect in the world and I take my hat off to him.”
Considering how competitive the fight was Fierro didn’t get a lot of credit on the judges’ scorecards, but he didn’t seem to care. All three judges scored it for Cruz: 98-92, 97-93, and 96-94.
“I came here to give the fans a great fight and leave it all in the ring, said Fierro:”I don’t care about the judges I care about the fans. But I do hope that Pit-bull gives me a rematch, because I think I deserve it.”
Fightmonger 
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