David Morrell Jr wants Benavidez after he deals with Kalvin Henderson on June 4th

By Boxing News - 05/27/2022 - Comments

By Craig Daly: WBA ‘regular’ super middleweight champion David Morrell Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs) already has his sights set on defending his title against David Benavidez after he defends next month against Kalvin Henderson on June 4th on Showtime at The Armory in Minneapolis.

The talented former Cuban amateur star Morrell, 24, wants to add Benavidez’s name to his resume and use the victory to catapult him into a bigger clash against undisputed 168-lb champion Canelo Alvarez.

Morrell has a lot of talent, but he’s lacking in power & experience as a professional level.

“A victory will set up a major showdown with David Benavidez or any of the top contenders or champions,” said Morrell Jr. “It’s no secret that I’m coming for Benavidez. I know a great performance on June 4 will lead to some big-time fights, against some big-time names.”

Morrell has an impressive 130-2 record while fighting as an amateur in Cuba. As a professional, we don’t know if he’s rugged enough to deal with a fighter like Benavidez, who is big, strong, and throws a lot of punches.

David Morrell Jr’s professional record:

  • Alantez Fox – TKO 4
  • Mario Abel Cazares – TKO 1
  • Lennox Allen – UD 12
  • Quinton Rankin – KO 2
  • Yendris Rodriguez Valdez – KO 1

Going from fighting the unknown Kalvin Henderson to taking on Benavidez might be too big of a jump up in class for Morrell Jr.

To give himself a fighting chance, Morrell needs to cut his teeth on true world-class opposition before taking on a talent like Benavidez.

The opposition that Morrell fought during his 132 fights as an amateur in Cuba might not be enough for him to handle the steep jump up in class against a fighter like Benavidez.

WBC interim super middleweight champion Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) is game, and interested in fighting Morrell Jr. if he can’t get a match against former IBF 168-lb champion Caleb ‘Sweethands’ Plant or Jermall Charlo next. 

Given Plant’s problems breaking out of the inertia that has set in since his eleventh round knockout loss to Canelo Alvarez on November 6th, it’s likely that he won’t choose to fight Benavidez next, even though it would make him a ton of money.

Morrell Jr. is defending his secondary WBA 168-lb title against the obscure #11 ranked contender Kalvin Henderson (15-1-1, 11 KOs) in the co-feature spot on the Stephen Fulton vs. Danny Roman card on Showtime.

It’s unclear why the World Boxing Association has the 31-year-old ‘Hot Sauce’ Henderson ranked #11 with their organization, as he has zero notable wins over known opposition, and he was recently beaten by little-known Isaiah Steen by a 10 round unanimous decision in July 2021.

In 2019, Henderson was held to an eight-round draw against Genc Pllana (9-4).

“Henderson is a very durable fighter who has never been stopped,” said Morrell Jr. “I’m aiming to be the first person to knock him out. He’s had a lot of time to prepare for this fight, so I know he’ll be coming in great shape. He also has a lot of power, so I must be at my best defensively.”

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