All hell broke loose at the David Morrell vs David Benavidez media workout on Tuesday.
The fast-rising light heavyweights are set to square off on February 1 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in a unification clash of Morell’s WBA ‘regular’ title and Benavidez’s WBC ‘interim’ belt.
PBCDavid Benavidez pushed David Morrell as chaos ensued[/caption]
After speaking to the media, both men faced off in the ring – and this is where things turned heated.
Morell refused Benavidez’s handshake and engaged in a verbal sparring session up close.
Benavidez flashed a smile and then handed his green and gold strap to one of his team members before shoving Morrell, who returned fire by lobbing his own belt at ‘The Mexican Monster’s’ head.
Security quickly intervened before things got seriously violent while Benavidez managed to duck the projectile – much to the relief of event organisers.
Morrell and Benavidez recently moved up from super middleweight to light heavyweight after missing out on a fight with former undisputed king Canelo Alvarez.
Benavidez’s manager, Sampson Lewkowicz, claimed earlier this year in a since-deleted tweet that Canelo had turned down a $55m (£43m) offer to fight his client from Al Haymon’s PBC.
Canelo’s trainer and manager Eddy Reynoso later insisted this was not the case – although the Mexican superstar has shown little interest in boxing Benavidez.
When one reporter asked what it would take for him to consider the much-anticipated matchup, Canelo affirmed he would need a guaranteed payout of between $150million (£117m) and $200m (£156m)
This hefty sum far exceeds his biggest payday – the reported $80m (£62.9m) purse he received for his bout with Floyd Mayweather in 2013.
Benavidez believes Canelo is simply trying to avoid fighting him by laying out such unrealistic demands and opted to move up to light heavyweight instead of waiting around for the 34-year-old.
PBCMorrell returned fire by launching his WBA ‘regular’ belt at Benavidez’s head[/caption]
In June, he became WBC mandatory for the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch for the undisputed crown by beating Oleksandr Gvozdyk over the distance.
And he now looks to further improve his position by taking on WBA ‘regular’ champion Morrell.
Morell picked up his lesser world title by defeating Radivoje Kalajdzic in August and boasts an undefeated record, like Benavidez.
The fight is sure to produce fireworks with both boxers carrying exciting styles, plenty of knockout power and a serious animosity between them.
“Morrell has been talking about me for a while and disrespecting me,” said Benavidez at their launch press conference last month.
“He wanted to make it personal with me, so I’m personally going to break his mouth.
“That’ll give him something to remember me by.”
Morrell fired back: “I’m getting the knockout. 100%.
“He’s all talk and no bite. He can’t do what he thinks he’s gonna do.
“For a long time I’ve waited for this opportunity to fight Benavidez. On Saturday, February 1, I promise Benavidez and I promise everyone watching, it’s going to be a great fight.”
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