LOS ANGELES – November 19, 2024 – Undefeated light heavyweight stars David “El Monstro” Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. went face-to-face Tuesday at a press conference in Los Angeles before they meet for Benavidez’s Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Title and Morrell’s WBA Light Heavyweight Title in the main event of a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, February 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The press conference also featured WBC Featherweight World Champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr., as they meet in a much-anticipated rematch in the co-main event.
Also at Tuesday’s press conference was fan-favorite and former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, who meets hard-charging contender Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican pay-per-view undercard attraction, and rising Mexican star Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. and former unified champion Jeison Rosario, who square off in the pay-per-view opener.
**Pre-sale tickets are AVAILABLE NOW until 10 p.m. PT through AXS.com by using the code: PBC. The public on-sale is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, November 20 at 10 a.m. PT with tickets available through AXS.com.
The event is promoted by Sampson Boxing and Warriors Boxing.
This lineup features a bevy of the sport’s top talent, all topped by a showdown years in the making as Benavidez and Morrell meet with a chance to not only establish themselves as the future of the light heavyweight division, but as a potential force on pound-for-pound lists and one of the faces of the sport for years to come. The two undefeated titans had a heated stare down and engaged in frequent verbal back-and-forths during the event, promising to end their February 1 clash with a knockout.
Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday from The NOVO at L.A. Live:
DAVID BENAVIDEZ
“Here we are again. I told you that I was going to give you the fights you want to see, and now we’re here. Morrell has been talking about me for a while and disrespecting me. He wanted to make it personal with me, so I’m personally going to break his mouth. That’ll give him something to remember me by.
“These are the type of fighters I want to fight. I want to face guys who think that they’re going to go in there and knock me out. He’s never fought anyone like me and I’m going to show everyone there’s levels to this.
“I want the props that I deserve when I beat the crap out of him. I love that he’s confident. I love facing guys like this.
“He knows what he said and that’s exactly what I needed to get me going for this fight. He thinks he’s big and bad, but he’s nothing. I’m gonna show him who’s the best on February 1.
“It’s not time to play anymore. It’s really time to see who the best David is. I want to show everyone where I stand. I want to take over and show everyone I’m the most ferocious fighter out there.”
DAVID MORRELL JR.
“I’m getting the knockout. 100%. He’s all talk and no bite. He can’t do what he thinks he’s gonna do.
“For a long time I’ve waited for this opportunity to fight Benavidez. On Saturday, February 1
I promise Benavidez and I promise everyone watching, it’s going to be a great fight.
“I know it’s not going to be an easy fight, but nothing is easy in life. I promise that I’m ready to fight.
“Everybody says that Benavidez is the bogeyman and that no one wants to fight him, and I want to face the best. That’s why I went straight for him.
“He has no idea what he’s talking about, but he’s provoking me and now I want to go out there and beat the crap out of him. I’m here now and none of that talk matters.
“This is a huge moment for me. I’m putting everything into this fight on February 1.”
BRANDON FIGUEROA
“I want to fight the best, so shoutout to Fulton for stepping up to the plate. I’m here to fight the best and I’m not overlooking anyone. This is the fight that I’ve been waiting for the last three years and I don’t plan to leave it to the judges this time.
“I learned a lot from the loss. It lit a fire in me that hasn’t been unlit. We both come to fight and I’m excited that the rematch is even bigger and better now on one of the best cards of the year.
“This means everything. I get to get my lick back and give fans another exciting show. It was fun the first time with a controversial decision, but I don’t plan to leave it to the judges. He had trouble with Carlos Castro and I got him out of there in six rounds.
“I’m growing and evolving as a fighter. My fire is burning bigger and bigger. I just want to prove that I’m the best 126-pounder and one of the best fighters in the world period.
“I’m gonna fight my fight. I come forward and I’m aggressive. I have a unique style. This time around I’m just hungry to make a statement. I want to challenge Naoya Inoue, that’s the goal.
“On February 1 he’s gonna see that I hurt him at 122 pounds and at 126 pounds I’m gonna put him away. I’m making a statement and it won’t go 12 rounds.”
STEPHEN FULTON JR.
“Round 13 coming soon. I’m thankful that he took the fight again and I can’t wait to get in the ring.
“I know how he fights. We’re familiar with each other, and when you are, you know what to expect from your opponent. I expect it to be action-packed again.
“I’m gonna get the job done on February 1 and make any adjustments I have to. I have the power to hurt him. Whoever steps foot in the ring with me going forward will see that.
“People forget who I am. I can do whatever I want in that ring. I have to remind everyone at this point. Can I knock him out? Yes, because he runs into things. There are many ways I know I can beat this guy. On February 1 I will be a two-division world champion. I’m going to make this one look more clear.
“I felt cool in my last fight. Even when I got dropped, I wasn’t hurt. Being at the bigger weight class gave me the extra strength and energy that I need.
“I won the fight, so I don’t really care what anyone says about my last fight. I know that I’m gonna be victorious. I’m bigger and stronger and I’ve learned a lot now. He’s gonna find out.
“I’m here to become world champion again. Trust me.”
ISAAC CRUZ
“This fight means everything to me because it’s Mexico vs. Mexico, and everyone knows what happens when two Mexicans collide. It’s gonna be a war for sure.
“I’m very excited for this opportunity. It’s going to be a great showcase and I can’t wait for February 1.
“I don’t want to be too eager in the ring, I just want to achieve my goal on February 1 and get my hand raised. I’m sharpening my tools so I can be at my best when that bell rings.
“I learn from every fight, so I don’t ever consider a fight a loss. It’s given me the opportunity to look at things from another perspective. I promise that I’m coming back even stronger.”
JESUS RAMOS JR.
“Rosario is a veteran who’s been champion and knows what it feels like at the top, and that’s what I want. I’m grateful to have a tough opponent and I’m ready to put on a show like always.
“I’m expecting the best version of Jeison Rosario, because he knows his back is against the wall. This fight is going to define his career, and that makes him dangerous. I’m going to prepare for the best Jeison Rosario there could possibly be.
“I’m coming to knock him out. I’ve learned not to leave things up to the judges, so I’m preparing myself for the knockout. I respect him as a fighter and I thank him for the opportunity, but I have to do my job. That’s the way this business goes.”
JEISON ROSARIO
“This fight is even bigger for me than when I won the world titles against Julian Williams. This is going to be a war and a showcase of my best abilities. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity.
“Ramos is a hungry fighter and I took this fight happily because I know it will be exciting. I’ve fixed my mistakes and I’m ready to show Ramos that there’s nowhere to hide in that ring.
“This is the most important fight of my life and the most significant fight of my career. This will catapult me to fight for the world championship again. My story is not over, not yet.”
# # #
ABOUT BENAVIDEZ VS. MORRELL
Benavidez vs. Morrell will see Interim WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David “El Monstro” Benavidez and WBA Light Heavyweight Champion David Morrell Jr. meet in a battle of unbeatens that pits two of the sport’s most exciting fighters against each other in the primes of their careers headlining a PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, Feb. 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The co-main event will see WBC Featherweight World Champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa defend his title against former unified world champion Stephen Fulton Jr. in a rematch of one of 2021’s best fights.
The pay-per-view will also feature Mexican star and former world champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz facing the hard-charging contender Angel Fierro in an all-Mexican super lightweight duel, plus rising Mexican star Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. battles former unified champion Jeison Rosario in a 10-round middleweight fight that opens the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
In addition to the PPV being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com.
For more information visit www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow #BenavidezMorrell, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, on Instagram @PremierBoxing or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions