Trainer Ronnie Shields Sees Benavidez-Bivol As 50-50, Citing Morrell Fight As Vital Experience For ‘Mexican Monster’

Trainer Ronnie Shields says David Benavidez’s fight against David Morrell last February will help prepare him to defeat undisputed light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol if he’s still holding the four titles after his likely rematch against Artur Beterbiev.

Shields sees a fight between Dmitry Bivol and Benavidez as a “50-50” one, but a lot of fans are giving David the edge in that fight due to his combination punching. Benavidez has got the youth and toughness on his side as well. Bivol is 34, and he looked like he was going to cave in recently in his rematch with Beterbiev when he was being pressured from rounds two to seven.

‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez’s ability to withstand the shots from the talented Cuban Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs), who hits a lot harder than Bivol, will help him prepare for that clash. Benavidez is going to be passed over by Bivol for a trilogy match against former undisputed light heavyweight champion Betebiev.

“I think soon. He’s young, so he needs to get right back in there. I would love to see him fight in the next couple of months,” said trainer Ronnie Shields to Fighthype about David Morrell. “Once I talk to the powers that be, let them know that this kid is a fighter and that he has to be right back in.

“A lot of people saw a great fighter against David Benavidez. It was a great fight, and with a little more experience, I think he could have won the fight,” said Ronnie about Morrell. “We feel great about what he did and where he’s at right now. I think we need to get him back as soon as possible.”

Morrell’s Power

It’s important that Morrell not stay out of the ring for too long after that loss, as he’ll lose a lot of momentum in his career. Many fighters tend to stay out of the ring after they get a big payday like the one Morrell got, and their careers go downhill. If Morrell can fight a couple more times in 2025, he’ll be in a position to challenge for a world title in one of the cards in Riyadh.

“Absolutely,” said Shields when asked if Morrell is in the top three hardest punchers in the 175-lb division. “He can punch. All the light heavyweights are going to see, and they’re going to feel that. Without a doubt,” said Shields about whether Morrell helped Benavidez prepare for Dmitry Bivol.

Morrell might be the biggest puncher in the light heavyweight division for single shots. Artur Beterbiev is seen as the hardest puncher, but when you look at the shots he landed against Dmitry Bivol, they weren’t on the level as the ones Morrell was hitting Benavidez with. Morrell and Beterbiev share a common opponent in Radivoje Kalajdzic. Morrell’s punches looked harder. The difference was that Artur attacked Kalajdzic more relentlessly, which is why he knocked him out in the fifth round in 2019.

“50-50 Fight”

“I think David Morrell showed he’s a true fighter. David Benavidez is one of the best fighters in the world. He knew that going in there, and I think we showed enough where people will say, ‘Hey, they’re going to have to deal with this kid.’

“So, everybody knows about David Morrell, and everybody knows about David Benavidez. These guys, they’re going to see each other again. Definitely. That’s a fight I want to see,” said Shields about a fight between Benavidez and Bivol. “I think it’s a 50-50 fight.

“Benavidez is a really smart guy, and he can handle himself inside that ring, but Bivol also. I can’t wait for the fight. If David Morrell can get fight or two in, he can fight the winner. That’s the plan,” said Shields about Morrell getting a mandatory spot to force a world title shot against whoever holds the belts at 175.