Benavidez-Morrell: Will The Winner Get A Shot At Alvarez?

As 2025 has now begun, Boxing’s 168lb. Super-Middleweight division is still dominated by one fighter, the once and perhaps future Undisputed king of the division Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, who still reigns as the division’s unified world champion, despite having relinquished the IBF world championship due to his decision to face top contender Edgar Berlanga last September, rather than the International Boxing Federation’s top contender William Schull, who was due in the rotation of mandatory challengers that subsequently made up the Undisputed Super-Middleweight championship of the world. Schull went on to win the IBF crown and could still face Alvarez at some point this year in what would be a rarity in Boxing, a reunification bout involving a title that was given up by one of the champions involved due to circumstances that can only be summed up as the politics that be in the sport of Boxing.

Two fighters, however, that have been angling for a shot at Alvarez for some time will instead turn their attention to each other in what is being billed as an elimination bout in the 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division are undefeated former WBC Super-Middleweight world champion David Benavidez and unbeaten top Light-Heavyweight contender David Morrell. A scheduled twelve round bout that will take place on Saturday, February 1st at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, which can be seen on Prime Video Pay-Per-View. Some might question why two fighters, whom for the moment have moved out of the Super-Middleweight division, would still be in the discussion as a potential challenger for Alvarez, especially given that the winner of this fight, in theory will be in a position to face the winner of the upcoming Undisputed Light-Heavyweight championship rematch between undefeated champion  Artur Beterbiev and former unified world champion Dmitry Bivol.

The simple answer is Alvarez, who also briefly held a portion of the World Light-Heavyweight championship in his career, is for lack of a better term, one of the sport’s cash cows and has gotten to a point in his career where he chooses his fights based more on opportunity and finances rather than legacy. While Alvarez is certainly not the first fighter to take advantage of such a status once acquired, the fact is that while both Benavidez and Morrell were Super-Middleweights, neither had the type of market appeal or drawing power that was able to convince Alvarez to fight either fighter in what would have been a high risk, low reward scenario based on both Benavidez’ and Morrell’s styles. It is also worth noting that in regard to the issue of drawing power, Benavidez was positioned in the main event of the final pay-per-view card produced by the now-defunct Showtime Sports against former two-division world champion Demitrius Andrade in November 2023 only produced 60,000 buys at a $74.99 price point. This followed a similar low drawing buyrate for Benavidez against former IBF Super-Middleweight world champion Caleb Plant in March of that year.

Although more of a reflection of an outdated pay-per-view model that this observer has been highly critical of and will continue to be so until such time as things change for the betterment of the sport, the reality of the matter is with low buyrates, which are also affected by piracy, an elephant in the room that no one in the sport likes to take about and folks who cover the sport like yours truly do not like to write about due to the obvious negative aspects attached to it, which can be directly attributed to the overuse of pay-per-view as well as the price points, which whether promoters and networks want to admit it or not, are continually rejected by consumers, there was little incentive for Alvarez to take the risk against Benavidez  as the perception was that in a promotional sense, Benavidez and his promoter the Premier Boxing Champions group of promoters needed Alvarez, more than Alvarez needed them, despite it being a fascinating fight on paper in terms of style and a dangerous one for Alvarez. Given the state of the pay-per-view model and the fact that InDemand the leading pay-per-view distributor on cable and satellite outside of satellite provider DirecTV here in the United States will be ceasing operations before the end of 2025, Benavidez is in a bit of an unfair conundrum being labeled as not a pay-per-view draw when the fact is, the whole pay-per-view concept and model is one that is severely outdated and affects every Boxing card that is placed on pay-per-view.

With the majority of Boxing events either tapped for subscription-based streaming or offered via pay-per-view via apps as this one will be through Prime Video, it remains to be seen how long the model will last with one of the biggest distributors preparing to cease operations, which would not be the case if the pay-per-view model were viable and successful now in the year 2025. Whether this fight will be any more successful than previous Benavidez/PBC pay-per-view attempts  also remains to be seen.

In terms of style, both Benavidez and Morrell are come forward pressure fighters that each have power and put forth consistent offensive output. On paper, this has all the appearance of potentially an all-action fight that will likely end within the twelve round distance. The reasoning behind this is both fighters have career knockout percentages of over 80%. What also makes this fight interesting is that because both fighters have been so dominant in facing other opposition up to this point, some might contend that neither has faced a fighter with the type of punching power that they will now be facing by facing each other.

Perhaps the question that should be asked here in regard to this encounter is whether we will see a shootout from the opening bell where they both come out with the intention of going toe to toe with the goal to try and end the fight as quickly as possible, or if one of the fighters will attempt to take a more tactical approach with the knowledge of what their opponent can do? The possibility certainly exists that, despite the styles of both Benavidez and Morrell, that both fighters will have a healthy respect for the other and therefore, be more passive in their approach at least in the early rounds. 

As one who has covered thousands of fights over the last three decades between fighters who are labeled as “Knockout Artists," this is an instance where this observer cannot give an educated guess as to what might happen. This appears to be an evenly matched fight where, despite my experience and a lifetime as a proud Boxing lifer, I cannot see a way where things might lean in terms of who has a theoretical advantage. Although a mandatory position, at least in theory in the WBC’s Light-Heavyweight ratings is on the line, whether it be the Beterbiev-Bivol winner that will be next for the winner of this fight, or if Saul Alvarez will use his clout to interject himself into the equation either for the winner here between Benavidez and Morrell or the winner of the rematch between Beterbiev and Bivol, which can all be talked about after this fight, this is one occasion that I am very much looking forward to the opening bell between Benavidez and Morrell. It is too early to use the selling point of "Fight of the Year Candidate," but I would not dismiss the possibility.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Benavidez vs. Morrell takes place on Saturday, February 1st at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The fight as well as it's undercard can be seen on digital entertainment and sports streaming platform Prime Video on a pay-per-view basis for $79.99. The card will begin at 6PM ET/3PM PT with preliminary bouts followed by the pay-per-view card, which will begin at 8PM ET/5PM PT. For more information about Prime Video please visit: www.PrimeVideo.com for information on how to download the Prime Video app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices/Smart TVs. To order this pay-per-view event search Benavidez vs. Morrell within the Prime Video app or Click Here.

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Wallace Stop Wellem In 8

The recent times in Boxing’s 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division have centered around Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, the two long-reigning world champions of the division, who finally met in October of this year to determine the Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight championship. In what was a highly competitive fight, it was Beterbiev who emerged victorious by a razor thin decision. Both due to the competitive nature of that fight as well as a rematch clause, Beterbiev and Bivol will continue to be the focus as they will meet again in February 2025.

Outside of the top of the division where the focus remains on Beterbiev and Bivol, however, there are prospects and contenders looking to position themselves for potential lucrative bouts against either later in 2025 and beyond. One such fighter is rising prospect Conor Wallace. Wallace, a native of Newry, Northern Ireland, now based in Queensland, Australia, has quickly emerged as a fighter to watch and could well find himself in the mix among the top contenders, or Beterbiev, or Bivol sooner rather than later.

After establishing a record of 14-1, with 10 Knockouts, Wallace concluded his 2024 on Wednesday night when he faced the unbeaten, but largely unknown Asemahle Wellem at the Fortitude Music Hall in Queensland Australia. Despite coming into the fight with an undefeated record of 7-0-1, with 3 Knockouts, Wellem, a native of South Africa, was a bit of a mystery in the sense that there was not  footage that this observer could access prior to this bout of his previous fights, and all one could really go on without the benefit of film study, was simply the statistical figures in his record as well as the knowledge per that record that Wellem came into this fight off of a draw in his last bout in March against a fellow undefeated fighter named Selemani Kidunda in a fight fought in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division.

Often when there is not much known about a fighter going into a bout, it can be difficult to get an idea as to what type of fight one could expect. Wellem would turn out to be a fighter who was quite awkward, but one that ended up providing Wallace with what turned out to be a significant test.

The early rounds saw both fighters looking to establish position, Wallace, a southpaw seeming to be the naturally bigger fighter and attempting to keep Wellem at distance with his longer reach. As tends to happen when a southpaw faces an orthodox fighter, there was no shortage of trips, unintentional, and perhaps intentional grappling between the two fighters throughout with Wallace often getting the worst of it in hitting the canvas and at times appearing to be thrown akin to what one would see in the sport of Judo. This was not aided by what appeared to be moisture on the canvas, which had both fighters having trouble periodically maintaining their footing.

Wellem did succeed for a time in being able to keep Wallace from finding a rhythm by frequently changing the levels of his attack from the head to the body as well as not over playing his hand in only taking opportunities as they came rather than being overly aggressive. As the fight progressed, Wallace managed to gradually apply tactical pressure, which opened up opportunities to land his left hand from the southpaw stance. This did not prevent him from getting caught in the fourth round and appearing to be hurt by a right hand by Wellem. Wallace would respond by landing a left hook to the body that forced Wellum to take a knee moments later. 

Perhaps because he had now felt the power of his opponent, Wellem would resort to a dirty tactic in the fifth round when while being separated by the referee, he hit Wallace in the back of the head, which caused an immediate point deduction for not only hitting on the break, but also hitting his opponent in the back of the head. The subject of potential scoring of the fight, however, would prove to be a moot point as Wallace continued to apply pressure and gradually land hard punches that affected Wellem.

In the eighth round Wallace would drop Wellem for the second time with a straight left hand. Although Wellem showed his mettle by getting up, he was clearly hurt, and Wallace sensing his opponent was in trouble, went for the finish. A follow-up combination sent Wellem down for a third and final time as the bout was promptly stopped. The fifthteeth victory in the career of Conor Wallace and his eighth straight win since suffering his only career setback in April 2021, earned him the WBA’s vacant Oceania Light-Heavyweight title, one of the regional championships used to elevate fighters into the world rankings who compete in the Asia-Pacific region of the world, not unlike fighters who win British titles in the United Kingdom or European championships throughout Europe, which all serve as a route for fighters to elevate themselves into the world rankings. 

More importantly, this win will serve Wallace well in terms of his development in the long-term. He did face an opponent here in Asemahle Wellem, who presented an awkward style that for a time proved difficult to combat. Furthermore, Wellem did test Wallace's ability to cope with being hurt and was not cooperative and kept fighting after being knocked down initially. While fights like this often serve better than a quick knockout in the long-term as far as a fighter’s development is concerned, the ability to cope with what some might view as an unexpected test and still accomplish the task of victory will also serve Wallace as he looks to progress against theoretically tougher competition with the goal of eventually challenging for a world championship.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Shields Attempts To Make Further History

On July 27th, the focus of the world will center on the beginning of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. It will be on day 1 of the Olympic Boxing competition that the focus will largely be dominated by Women's bouts as a field of over 120 women in various weight divisions attempt to win Olympic Gold. The strides of Women's Boxing in the Olympics and the sport overall for Women that has taken place over the last decade is something that has been long overdue and cannot be denied.

It was at the 2012 Olympics in London, England where one fighter became the focal point that in large part has helped to lead the way for such growth. This observer is referring to Claressa Shields, who not only became the first Women's Olympic Gold Medalist in United States Boxing history, but four years later would duplicate that accomplishment at the 2016 games in Brazil, not only duplicating what she had done four years earlier, but making history as the only boxer in United States Olympic history to win back to back Gold medals in Olympic competition. If Shields had decided after back to back Olympic triumphs to retire, she likely would have already cemented her place in any Boxing Hall of Fame due to the magnitude of what she had accomplished.

As most know, however, Shields’ Olympic journey was a chapter of her story rather than the end of it. Since turning professional late in 2016, Shields has been dominant becoming a world champion in three different weight classes from Jr. Middleweight, Middleweight, and Super-Middleweight, becoming an undisputed champion in the Middleweight and Super-Middleweight divisions. While her standing in Women's Boxing has remained untouched, Shields has also established herself in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) winning two of three professional bouts with the lone defeat coming via decision in October 2021 to Abigail Montes. The only loss Shields has suffered in twelve years across combat sports, with the last loss she suffered in a Boxing ring coming as an amateur in the 2012 AIBA Women's World Championships in a decision loss to Savannah Marshall. A loss that Shields would avenge in unifying the Middleweight division as a professional in October 2022.

With a a record of 14-0, with 2 Knockouts, Shields, still an undisputed world champion in the Middleweight division, now attempts to further her legacy by moving up in weight to challenge WBC Heavyweight world champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse on July 27th in Detroit, MI in a bout that can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN. The fight, which will take place at the Little Caesars Arena, will essentially be one fought on Shields’ home turf being from Flint, MI. It will also be a bout that has further historical significance as the vacant WBO Light-Heavyweight world championship will also be on the line making it one of the rare fights in Boxing history, make or female where world titles in multiple divisions will be at stake in a single fight.

Although it is something that was criticized when Sugar Ray Leonard knocked out WBC Light-Heavyweight world champion Donny Lalonde im November 1988 to win not only the Light-Heavyweight crown Lalonde held, but also the at that point newly created WBC Super-Middleweight world championship as the Super-Middleweight division was in its beginning stages at that time, it is nevertheless rare when such a concept is implemented.

Like Leonard thirty-six years ago, this is an opportunity for Shields to become a five-division world champion by winning world titles in two divisions in one fight. The similarity does not end there as much like Leonard faced against Lalonde, Shields will be facing an opponent in Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse that is used to fighting at heavier weights than Shields has fought at before.

This is likely where the comparison ends because Shields is two inches taller than Lepage-Joanisse at 5’8 and Shields, now the challenger, has a significant edge in terms of overall experience compared to the champion, who will enter the fight with a record of 7-1, with 2 Knockouts Lepage-Joanisse won the WBC World Heavyweight championship in her last fight in March in scoring a ten round split decision over Abril Vidal in her native Canada.

Normally when discussing a fight where one fighter is making a significant jump in weight, the onus would be on the fighter moving up in weight to show they can compete effectively against fighters that are theoretically bigger and stronger on paper. While the issue of weight is still there and Shields will have to show that it will not be an issue for her, Lepage-Joanisse needs to show that she can compete against someone of Shields caliber due to the significant disadvantage she has in terms of experience. In her fight against Abril Vidal, Lepage-Joanisse was able to get the win by being more active and being first with her punches, which gave her the edge in a very close fight. Whether she will be able to do that against Shields, a fighter who is very compact with her offense and tend to throw her punches in variations of combinations may indeed prove to be easier said than done if the adjustment to fighting at a higher weight turns out to be a non-issue for the challenger.

Regardless of what the outcome of this fight will be when all is said and done, Lepage-Joanisse-Shields represents another in an increasing long line of steps forward for Women's Boxing as well as the more broad issue of equality. It is something that should be celebrated.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Lepage-Joanisse-Shields takes place on Saturday, July 27th at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI. The fight can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT. 

(*U.S. Start Times Only.*)

(*Card and Start Times Subject To Change.*

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

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