The handlers for WBA ‘regular’ super middleweight champion David Morrell were surprised by the recent statements from David Benavidez, who holds the WBC’s interim-title.
Morrell and his team were under the impression that fight with Benavidez was being lined up for the fall.
Benavidez would later deny that he reached a deal to fight Morrell and would call for a showdown with former champion Jaime Munguia.
Morrell’s promoter, Luis DeCubas Sr. of Warriors Boxing, stands firm that a deal had been in place for a fight with Benavidez.
“We don’t know what could have happened there, but there was an agreement,” said DeCubas Sr. to George Ebro. “The boxers wanted the fight, the promoters wanted the fight. I personally spoke about the issue with [Benavidez’s promoter] Sampson [Lewkowicz], with Benavidez’s father. But suddenly, out of nowhere, the name of Munguia appears. Really, it is something that we cannot understand.
Last month, Munguia moved up to super middleweight and won a close decision over Sergiy Derevyanchenko. The Mexican fighter’s co-promoter, Golden Boy, indicated their willingness to begin negotiations for a fight with Benavidez.
Morrell’s promoter does not view Munguia as being on the same level as Benavidez or Morrell.
“There is no comparison between Munguia and Morrell, we are talking about two very different levels of boxing,” added DeCubas Sr.
“The Munguia who fought Derevyanchenko has nothing to offer against Benavidez. Morrell can beat Benavidez.. if he couldn’t, we wouldn’t be looking for this fight so hard. Because I want to make this very clear: we do want to fight Benavidez.
A clash between Benavidez (27-0, 23 KO) and Morrell (9-0, 8 KO) would be a major contest at 168-pounds – with the winner being placed directly in line for a crack at undisputed world champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, who defends his crown against Jermell Charlo on September 30.