With fight week underway and a big showdown looming, experts have weighed-in to offer predictions and analysis for this Saturday’s matchup between Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell Jr. as they headline a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The pundits have unanimously expressed their anticipation for this matchup, with most seeing paths to victory for either fighter. The oddsmakers agree on the 50-50 nature of the fight, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing the odds as Benavidez -190 and Morrell +155. See below for an expansive gathering of fight analysis from the boxing world before this rivalry between Benavidez and Morrell is settled in the ring on Saturday night:

“This is going to be a complicated fight for Benavidez across the first few rounds. However, Benavidez’s speed and the level of his past opponents are better than Morrell’s. Benavidez has shown us his speed, his power and his conditioning, which will be very important and allow him to overcome Morrell and win this fight by a decision.”

“David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. is a big fight. I’m a huge David Benavidez fan and I applaud him because he ducks no one. He’s ready to fight at all times. He is the Mexican Monster. Sometimes I wonder if someone is going to hurt him, because he doesn’t really move. He’s shown that he can take a punch and he can damn sure give one, with either hand. He’s got speed, he’s got power, he’s got boxing ability and he’s got heart. I don’t know if there’s a bigger fan of David Benavidez than me. I have a lot of love for his skills and I want to see him on the big stage.”

“Benavidez vs. Morrell is a very interesting fight and one of the better fights of the year coming up in 2025. It’s a barnburner of a fight. Morrell is a flash Cuban fighter, but he’s also got the power. With David Benavidez, he’s a monster. He overwhelms his opponents, punches hard, has good shot selection and good defense that people sleep on. I’m going with David Benavidez by late stoppage. I think he wears Morrell down and hurts him to the body.”

“Some people think that Morrell has been moved along too quickly, but it’s not like Benavidez is the master of the light heavyweight division just yet. Morrell has more than a puncher’s chance and I’m going to buck the trend and take the upset. One of the reasons why is that I’m hoping for a trilogy out of this one, because this first fight is probably gonna be a banger.”

“I’m very excited for this David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. main event, but I do have Benavidez pulling it off based on his experience. I see him taking over in the later rounds in a competitive fight.”

“Many fans and analysts see this as a 50-50 fight, with two guys in their prime risking it all in a fight that has Fight Of The Year potential. Nonetheless, David Benavidez is anywhere from a

-166 favorite to a -220 over David Morrell according to the Vegas odds, denoting that he has anywhere from a 62% to a 68% chance of winning. I think the oddsmakers have this one pegged correctly as Benavidez should have the edge in terms of experience, as he’s faced top notch competition like Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Demetrius Andrade, Caleb Plant and David Lemieux.

“While Morrell has the size, power, reach advantage and speed to make this a tough fight for Benavidez, his experience is lacking as he made his mark as an amateur, but only has 11 fights as a pro for a total of 54 rounds. Coming off a lackluster performance against Radivoje Kalajdzic, it’s tough to imagine him winning here against the more seasoned fighter. This fight is a huge step up in class against an aggressive high volume puncher like Benavidez who can smother an opponent with his offense and yet also has the ability to move, box and make adjustments. That said, Benavidez also left a lot to be desired in his first fight at 175 and you have to wonder if Benavidez has the same power at light heavyweight as he did at Super Middleweight? I’m not sure he does but the top tier experience and pedigree should win out here. I’m picking Benavidez to win this by decision.”

"Tremendous fight and kudos to both guys for taking it. Two reasons I favor Benavidez: Experience and activity. Benavidez’s pro resume is significantly better and that matters, particularly in the later rounds. That’s also where Benavidez’s motor will become a factor. I see this being a competitive fight over the first half with David taking over to win a clean decision in the second."

“This is not an easy fight to predict, but I believe that the experience that David Benavidez has gained the last couple of years will work in his favor. It’s a great fight and I wouldn’t be surprised if Morrell won, but I’m going with Benavidez on February 1.”

“Morrell might be the most complete opponent of Benavidez’s 11-year professional career. The skillful, strong southpaw should make the first several rounds very competitive, but his inexperience in this type of battle of attrition will eventually lead to Benavidez breaking down the unbeaten Cuban and stopping him before the championship rounds.”

"There are some days where I feel like David Benavidez is just too much for David Morrell Jr., and he's going to properly grow into light heavyweight and stop Morrell. There are other days where I feel we didn't see the best David Morrell Jr. last August and that he's going to be even better on February 1 and show that Benavidez bit off more than he could chew. As much as I go back and forth, I'm going with my original instinct of David Benavidez finding a way to win. I don't see a stoppage either way though. I could see Morrell having a lot of success early, and Benavidez staying in the fight and not falling too far behind before eventually pulling away in the second half. I think he edges out a decision in a very very good fight."

“How good is David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr.? It’s easily one of the best five fights you can make in all of boxing. Two unbeatens in their physical primes ready to face off against one another to see who gets the shot at the undisputed light heavyweight crown. Plus, they don’t like each other. It’s also a perfect style contrast in many ways. They’re both going to bring the passion, intensity and big-time power in both hands. You’ve got the southpaw Morrell with the crafty technical skills and the well-rounded game against the monster himself in Benavidez, who once he starts going downhill on you, it comes down to whether you can handle the heat in the kitchen. This is the epitome of a 50-50 fight at the highest level. I can certainly see a decision that looks like it could go either way, but until I see David Benavidez lose, I’m not going against the monster.”

"I expect David Benavidez to go for the knockout in the early rounds, with his aggressiveness also opening him up to taking shots on his end. If David Morrell Jr. can get through those first rounds and land his own share of punches, I like his chances the later the fight goes on. He would either rack up enough points to win on the judges' cards or deliver a KO late against a worn-down Benavidez."

“It doesn’t get any better than this fight. You have two elite, young athletes in their primes. This is great for the sports world. Benavidez has fast hands, an unbelievable jab, high ring IQ and savviness from his plethora of fights. David Morrell Jr. has those superior Cuban skills, with his hand speed, foot speed and athleticism to burn. Get your popcorn ready, because it’s gonna be unbelievable. I know both guys very well and I’m rolling with David Morrell Jr. It’s gonna be a great fight, a 50-50 fight.”

“The best fight of 2025 so far is David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. What more could you ask for? This is truly a 50-50 fight. When I’m looking at it and breaking it down, I have to give the edge to David Benavidez. I think in David Morrell’s last fight, he struggled against the jab and foot movement. I didn’t see the necessary adjustments from him that he needs to overcome the volume and intensity of David Benavidez. Benavidez wasn’t at his best in his last fight, but he still dominated the fight. I’m going with Benavidez by decision, but I could be wrong, because this is a 50-50 fight.”

“I feel like David Morrell will be David Benavidez’s toughest opponent that he’s faced to date. He’ll definitely land some shots here and there and some of them might serve as a wakeup call for Benavidez. But in the end I think that Benavidez will come out on top because he’s faced better opponents and he knows what the bright lights feel like.”

“I believe that Benavidez has the faster hands and better foot movement, while Morrell could be the bigger puncher. Morrell has to cut the ring off and set Benavidez up. Whoever implements their strategy best will be the winner.”

“David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. is a welcome breath of fresh air for boxing featuring two undefeated light heavyweights in their prime squaring off for supremacy in a highly competitive fight. The 50-50 matchup sells itself, but the disdain between the Davids has been a surprising development throughout the buildup of their bout. Benavidez, 28, and Morrell, 27, both understand the magnitude of their high-stakes meeting. The winner is sitting pretty and pounding the table for the undisputed light heavyweight championship and even Canelo Alvarez. The loser potentially toils with middling opposition over the next 18 months as they rebuild their stock. This matchup presents a classic clash of styles: Benavidez's relentless and aggressive offensive approach against the crafty southpaw Morrell's technical yet prodigious finesse. Like oddsmakers, I edge a thrilling fight toward Benavidez, who has more experience and a proven track record at the elite level.

"David Benavidez’s relentless pressure and physicality will eventually overwhelm David Morrell Jr. While Morrell may have early success with his technical skills and athleticism, Benavidez's ability to cut off the ring and impose his will will begin to wear him down. By the later rounds, Benavidez pace and power will dominate, leaving Morrell struggling to keep up. I'm expecting to see Benavidez take over decisively as the fight progresses, potentially securing a late stoppage or a dominant decision victory."

Cynthia Conte, Best Women’s Boxing Show

"Benavidez vs Morrell is a mouth-watering fight. They both are undefeated dangerous fighters that both need to work behind their jabs. I expect Morrell to be flashy and quick with his hands and feet in the first couple rounds, but once Benavidez finds his rhythm and figures out Morrell’s timing, I believe Benavidez’s volume punching, non-stop pressure and punishing Morrell’s body will break Morrell’s will. I’m taking Benavidez by late TKO.”

“David Benavidez vs. David Morrell is, in a word, an explosion. Two dynamic and talented sluggers who guarantee an awesome match. It can be said that Benavidez hasn't faced an opponent as good as Morrell, and for sure the Cuban hasn't been in the ring with a champion like the Mexican-American Benavidez. Both fighters are really stepping up for the fans with this one. This will be one spectacular fight where both guys will be punched... and hurt. Benavidez prevails by a close decision where his big heart will be proven.”

“This fight on February 1 will be very difficult for both fighters. However, I predict that David Morell Jr. will win. He has everything he needs to win and become champion. He has the desire and is very hungry and eager to prove himself. I know he’s going to achieve his goals for Cuba.”

“I’m going with the Mexican Monster because of his experience. Morrell doesn’t have the same kind of pro experience that Benavidez has. Now we have seen fighters with very little pro experience make a huge splash as a pro. But those fighters were all Olympic champions, and while Morrell has a great Cuban amateur background, Benavidez just has more pro experience on his resume.”

“I’ve been in training camp with David Morrell and with the way everything is going, I think he’s going to get the knockout in the eighth round.”