On Saturday, unbeaten light heavyweights David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. will meet in a scheduled 12-round contest at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The eagerly anticipated showdown will headline a PBC Pay-Per-View event that will be broadcast on Prime Video at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT and PPV.com at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m.

Benavidez, rated at No. 2 by The Ring at light heavyweight, is an offensive beast; physically imposing with impressive power. He became the youngest fighter, aged 20, to win a super middleweight world title when he edged past Ronald Gavril (SD 12) to collect the WBC title. He beat Gavril (UD 12) much more comprehensively in a rematch. The Arizona native was busted for cocaine use and stripped of the title. Benavidez impressively regained the belt from Anthony Dirrell (TKO 9). However, missed weight in his first defense and lost the belt at the scale.

The 28-year-old notably demolished former middleweight titlist David Lemieux (TKO 3), beat arch-rival Caleb Plant (UD 12) and ran over two-division titlist Demetrius Andrade (RTD 6) before heading up in weight due to frustration waiting for Canelo to face him. In his 175-pound debut, he beat former beltholder Oleksandr Gvozdyk (UD 12).

Morrell, rated at No. 8 by The Ring at light heavyweight, won Cuban national titles at various levels before turning professional in 2019. The 27-year-old's amateur pedigree helped him move quickly as a professional. He beat some solid fighters including Mike Gavronski (KO 3), Alantez Fox (TKO 4), Aidos Yerbossynuly (KO 12), Yamaguchi Falcao (KO 1) and Sena Agbeko (TKO 2).

He also felt a Canelo fight was unlikely so headed to 175-pounds where he won but failed to catch the eye against Radivoje Kalajdzic (UD 12) last August.

While neither fight impressed in their official light heavyweight debut, who will now be better acclimated at the weight? We've seen Benavidez (29-0, 24 knockouts) take a punch and fire back, however, the same can not be said for Morrell. How will the Cuban react if his best punches don't have a visible affect on Benavidez? Will Morrell's (11-0, 9 KOs) southpaw skills present Benavidez with some problems? And if so, can he solve them? How will Morrell deal with Benavidez work rate?

Online gambling group William Hill lists Benavidez as an 4/7 (-175) favorite, while Morrell is priced at 11/8 (+138); the draw is 16/1 (+1600).

Here's how the experts see it: THE RING

"Morrell is a class operator, but I think he'll struggle to match Benavidez's intensity and work rate. Even though I expect the fight to be closely contested, Benavidez's aggression and relentless attack will allow the judges to give him the benefit of the doubt in close rounds. Morrell has the skill, speed and punching power to be very troublesome. I'm just not sure that he can maintain it over a long and grueling fight. When it's all over the numbers will favor Benevidez wide, but that will not tell the overall story. The Mexican Monster will have been in a fight."

"I really wish this fight would have happened at 168 and feel like we would've seen a better version there than what we will get on Feb. 1. That said, the grudge angle alone should make it a tasty affair. I can see Benavidez having to constantly adjust throughout the first half before he takes over for good over the back six, similar to how he conquered Caleb Plant. I fully expect Morrell to have success early but ultimately fall just short in the end."

"An excellent fight that you feel came together with both wanting a challenge but not being able to land Canelo at 168-pounds. Both are big guys for that weight and should settle into 175-pounds nicely. However, neither overly impressed in their debut at the weight. They're both in their primes and their styles should mesh well. I can see Morrell giving Benavidez trouble early but once Benavidez motor gets going, he's something of a runaway train and feel he comes on strong in the second half of the fight to win a hard-fought 12-round unanimous decision."

"David Benavidez versus David Morrell 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 David's 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 victor of the undisputed championship fight between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, 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."

"Although the Oddsmakers have this fight close, I like Benavidez to win decisively. Yes, both fighters are undefeated, but the American has faced much better opposition as a pro. Benavidez also has a height and natural strength advantage. I see a distance fight with David Benavidez winning a clear unanimous decision, maybe 116-112."

"I think it's a great four/ six round fight where there will be give and take moments that will keep us on the edge of our seats. Benavidez comes to fight; he makes for great fights. Unfortunately, it's not Canelo vs. Benavidez. That would've been a fight the majority of boxing fans would like to see. Unfortunately, we're not seeing it. I believe that Morrell's style and power will be the difference and will ruin the fight we've been waiting to happen. Morrell beats Benavidez within six-rounds, in a great fight that we'll all want to watch again. The only way Benavidez wins is if he stays away from Morrell and that's not Benavidez style."

"I'm not one who gets excited by big-fight buildups, posturing, calling names, pushing each other etc. I get excited by a fight that deserves excitement on its own. Morrell vs. Benavidez fits that mold. This is a tough one to call. They have different skill sets, but each can adapt and use versatility. I'm going to side with Benavidez on the basis of having twice the experience, more BIG fight experience, and facing the better opposition. I think the Cuban's high guard and movement may trouble and confuse Benavidez for a while, but the relentless pressure of Benavidez will pay off, break Morrell down eventually and result in a late round TKO."

"Neither guy looked particularly dominant in their light heavyweight debuts, but I get the sense that Benavidez is the guy who benefitted more from the move up in weight. Morrell has some real tools to work with but I'm going with the steady pressure and work rate of Benavidez to pound home a close decision."

"Interesting fight, where everything can happen, but my pick is Benavidez. Morrell is looking very spectacular, but I think Benavidez is on another level, and it will be very different to be in the ring against him compared to previous Morrell's opponents. But still very interesting and intriguing fight, where 100 percent winners are fans. Benavidez on points."

"I see Benavidez winning by stoppage in the tenth round. I think Benavidez too crafty and slick for Morrell. Although they both seem to have very good reach, I feel the Benavidez size will play in his advantage. If Benavidez is active from the get-go and works behind his jab Morrell will be in a whole lot of trouble. I think the key for Benavidez is to start strong."

"This is a fight that I would not want to bet on because it's a real fight. Two top of the line guys choosing to face each other in a fight, no matter who says otherwise, not for a world championship, is great for the sport. I wouldn't bet on it, but I would think at the end of 12-rounds Benavidez and his tenacity and resiliency will win a decision."

"I have to go with Benavidez just because he’s been in much bigger fights, bigger stage and had some fights where he had to earn it. I feel skill wise it’s 50/50 but Morrell has never faced any of those other things. Morrell is a tremendous fighter, and I don’t think it’ll be easy, but I just feel Benavidez has seen it all and that’s why I feel he’ll pull through with a decision."

"I think it's a great fight. I think two of the top light heavyweights in the world. Both very talented, I just think you can't really back against Benavidez. He's on a good run of form and I think his work rate will be the difference over 12-rounds. I think he'll win on points."

"David vs. David. High stakes. The winner is definitely in a very good position to face the winner of Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2. It is definitely a very good, even fight. Neither is coming off their best performance in the previous bout. The question will be: Is it a weight thing or was it the previous opponent? Benavidez is the stronger of the two and more active, while Morrell the of likely to stick to the plan. I see Benavidez pushing forward and Morrell countering and boxing. After five or six back and forth rounds, I see Benavidez taking over in the second half for a 12-round unanimous decision win."

"As much as I am a fan of Morrell and think he is the real deal, I just don’t think his mentally isn’t ready to handle the big stage. I just think Benavidez has been in the spotlight before and will be able to handle better then Morrell. I think this fight is strictly a mental fight, who can handle the week of the fight build up and who performs once the lights go on, I have to give the edge to Benavidez. The best part of this fight is both can punch so anyone can go down at any time."

"When motivated Benavidez is a beast and hard to beat! Handspeed and pressure will be the difference. Morrell doesn't have the championship experience, in my opinion. I like Benavidez by decision, but I can also see a late stoppage in an exciting fight if Morrell comes to win. Either way, The Mexican Monster wins."

"I think it will be a great fight, probably Benavidez on points."

"I like the way Benavidez fights, and I can't do anything but pick David Benavidez. I think Morrell is an extremely gifted and talented guy. I think he's an outstanding fighter, I think this is a very difficult fighter and I don't think it's a fight anybody wins easily. He's done so much in so few fights, he's got an outstanding background, I think this guy is for real there's no doubt about that. I think Benavidez has the potential to stop anybody, he has a great work rate, he knows the seriousness of the opponents, and this is obviously a very serious opponent, but we can't say this isn't a guy that isn't used to serious tests. He's taken on all comers; he's fought guys I don't think any No. 1 contender would have taken on and put his No. 1 spot on the line as often as he has. I certainly think he can stop Morrell but as you get into the upper echelons of the division, you're going to come across guys you're not going to be able to stop, no matter what. I see him either winning a decision or stop him."

"Morrell is very strong and has a punchers chance. Benavidez has many championship rounds of experience. Morrell will be competitive first half of the fight but in second half of fight Benavidez takes him into deep, deep water puts Morrell in situations he has never seen before. I believe Benavidez stops him late. Benavidez TKO 10."

"This is such a great fight on paper, and I think it will 100 percent deliver in the ring as well. Even considering the wins that Benavidez has over elite super middleweights; Caleb Plant, Demetrious Andrade, etc. I still think that Morrell is his toughest opponent to date. The kid is super motivated, young, southpaw, has power in both hands, and was an incredible amateur as well. However, David Benavidez is on a different type of high right now, coming off some incredibly dominant performances. I think Morrell will undoubtedly win rounds, but Benavidez will continue to come forward throughout the fight just like he always does, and win a pretty close decision."