A Latin-American fighter is on the verge of dominating the head of the sunshine heavyweight division. This Saturday, WBA Common Champion David Morrell Jr., the Cuban sensation, will tackle Mexican-American star David Benavidez in a extremely anticipated conflict. The winner of this evenly-matched bout will place themselves because the main contender to face the winner of the upcoming showdown between undisputed champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
The historical past of Latin champions within the gentle heavyweight division dates again to 1965, when Puerto Rican legend José Luis “Chegüi” Torres (Ponce, Puerto Rico) grew to become the primary Latin fighter to say the division’s title. Guided by the long-lasting coach Cus D’Amato, Torres defeated American Willie Pastrano on March 30, 1965, marking a milestone for Latin boxing.
In 1971, Venezuelan fighter Vicente Paúl Rondón captured the vacant title by defeating American Jimmy Dupree on February 27 in Caracas. Rondón efficiently defended his title thrice earlier than dropping it to the good Bob Foster simply over a 12 months later.
Argentine legend Víctor Galíndez, often known as “The Leopard of Morón,” added to the division’s Latin legacy when he gained the vacant title on December 7, 1974, by defeating Len Hutchins. Galíndez went on to make 10 title defenses, establishing himself as essentially the most profitable champion within the division’s historical past till his reign ended on September 15, 1978, in opposition to Mike Rossman.
One other Argentine, Hugo Garay (Tigre, Argentina), had a short stint as WBA Common Champion, successful the vacant title on July 3, 2008, in opposition to Ukrainian Yuriy Barashian, solely to lose it almost a 12 months afterward June 20, 2009.
Now, David Morrell Jr. enters the ring for his first title protection as WBA Common Champion, looking for so as to add his identify to the distinguished checklist of Latin champions within the 175-pound division.
When the opening bell rings this Saturday on the T-Cell Area in Las Vegas, Morrell and Benavidez will collide in a historic bout. This can be a uncommon alternative for 2 rising stars to stake their declare as one of the best of their era within the gentle heavyweight division and to solidify their place among the many elite Latin champions in WBA historical past.
The struggle will headline the PBC card, stay from Las Vegas, and shall be broadcast on PBC PPV by way of Prime Video.