David Benavidez overcomes late knockdown to beat David Morrell in early Fight of the Year contender

David Benavidez defeats David Morrell by unanimous decision (115-111, 115-111, 118-108) to retain his WBC interim light heavyweight title and win the WBA (Regular) championship.

Morrell ROCKED early in Round 12 by hooks from Benavidez. Morrell may have had the late success but Benavidez certainly looks the fresher and the stronger.

Left hook from Benavidez just after the halfway point of the 12th. Morrell trying to land something significant in the final minute, but he is so tired that he is hitting air. He's not going to find the finisher and Benavidez will likely walk away the winner!

10-9 Benavidez, 115-111 Benavidez.

DOWN GOES BENAVIDEZ! What a brilliant right hook from Morrell. Morrell had Benavidez in trouble earlier in the round with a flurry while Benavidez was up on the ropes.

MORRELL LOSES A POINT for hitting Benavidez after the bell. What disappointment for Morrell after finally finding a breakthrough. Replay shows that Morrell intentionally hit Benavidez way after the bell!

10-8 Morrell (-1), 105-102 Benavidez.

Right uppercut from Benavidez just after the halfway point is half-blocked by Morrell. Benavidez attempting hooks to both sides of the head and body, Morrell spears a long jab to try and create some distance between himself and Benavidez. We haven't seen many jabs in this fight, but perhaps it is a weapon that should've been utilized from the opening bell by Morrell.

10-9 Benavidez, 97-93 Benavidez.

Benavidez unloads a combination on Morrell at center ring in the second minute of Round 9. Morrell is eating these shots on his guard, with the odd punch getting through, including a left uppercut. Morrell responds with his own flurry, insistent not to allow Benavidez to get the upper hand.

Benavidez is controlling the action though, and forcing Morrell to punch when he doesn't want to punch and fight at a range that he isn't comfortable at.

10-9 Benavidez, 87-84 Benavidez.

Morrell was told by his corner that he needed to push Benavidez back in this round but he's not doing that.

Good counter left from Morrell just after the one-minute mark. Combination from Morrell gets through but it looks weak. Morrell has fought the wrong fight — he has fought Benavidez's fight by standing and trading.

Right hand from Benavidez breaks the guard at the end of the eighth.

10-9 Morrell, 77-75 Benavidez.

Left hook for Benavidez connects. Benavidez targeting the body for power shots as Morrell fights with a tight guard up close. Left uppercut breaks the guard for Benavidez. Morrell responds with a combo, but it's clearly not having the same effect as Benavidez's punches. The power advantage is starting to make a substantial difference now.

10-9 Benavidez, 68-65 Benavidez.

Benavidez alternating the straight right hand between Morrell's head and torso area. Morrell EATS A HUGE UPPERCUT at the halfway point of the sixth. Great stuff from Benavidez.

Morrell landing hooks with both hands in the last 30 seconds but he's waiting and admiring his work rather than moving after punching. Benavidez gets close to Morrell and launches his own attack, Morrell refuses to get out of the way of it.

10-9 Benavidez, 58-56 Benavidez.

Both men taking a breather in the first half of the fifth after what has been a hectic start to this fight.

Morrell unloads as Benavidez is on the ropes with one minute to go. Benavidez catches Morrell with a left hook as Morrell tries to evade a combination. Some good body work from Benavidez at the end of the fifth.

10-9 Benavidez, 48-47 Benavidez.

The pair are trading in the corner. Heavy left hand lands for Morrell, Benavidez connected with the right hook in the midst of more than a dozen blocked punches.

Uppercut from Benavidez breaks Morrell's guard. He clearly has the power advantage. Morrell now finally starting to move and box in the final minute of the fourth.

Uppercut from Benavidez ROCKS Morrell. The tide is starting to turn, but Morrell fires right back just when he was hurt. Great action!

10-9 Benavidez, 38-38.

It's been an interesting fight through three rounds. Both men are throwing in flurries but not necessarily landing very much as they have high, tight guards. Morrell has been more active in the first three rounds; Benavidez knows that he will only get stronger as the rounds go on though.

10-9 Benavidez, 29-28 Morrell.

Good start to the second for Morrell, who lands a stiff left hand counter early that pushed Benavidez's head back.

Benavidez backs Morrell up onto the ropes and lets go with a variety of right hands.

Morrell seems happy to fight on the inside, despite his tremendous Cuban schooling, landing short right hands up close.

It's back and forth as Benavidez immediately responds with a straight right hand and a right hook later on.

But a good finish to the stanza from Morrell, who breaks the guard with a couple of power shots and admires his success.

10-9 Morrell, 20-18 Morrell.

Benavidez and Morrell wasting no time getting to work.

Benavidez happy to hit gloves and arms early. Morrell not landing clean either, but more active in the opener.

Morrell landed a good left hand/right hook towards the end of the first round, which probably edges him the first.

10-9 Morrell.

WBC interim light heavyweight champion Benavidez clashes with the WBA (Regular) titlist Morrell in a final eliminator for the Feb. 22 Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol winner.

Benavidez (29-0, 24 KOs) is a former two-time WBC super middleweight champion. He had a strong 2023 campaign, beating Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade, but still failed to entice boxing's biggest star, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, to get in the ring with him. As a result, Benavidez moved up to light heavyweight in 2024 and made his debut in the division against Oleksandr Gvozdyk, capturing the WBC interim title.

Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) won the WBA interim championship at super middleweight in just his third professional bout in 2020 and was upgraded to WBA (Regular) champion the following year. Morrell defended his belt six times however he struggled to land significant fights, so he, too, followed Benavidez up to light heavyweight in 2024. Morrell edged Radivoje Kalajdzic in August to become a two-time WBA (Regular) belt holder.

Stephen Fulton beats Brandon Figueroa by unanimous decision (116-112, 116-112, 117-11)to win the WBC featherweight title and become a two-division champion.

Figueroa hammering in body shots late in the twelfth round. Fulton has gone back to the ring ropes, but he is having more success there, countering with the right hand and left hook.

Fulton's straight right hand has worked a treat all night long, Figueroa has not been able to time that punch, and that has played a big part in his downfall tonight.

10-9 Fulton, 117-111 Fulton

It's been a scrappy 11th round. Fulton has done a good job of staying away from the ring ropes, but he isn't moving laterally and choosing to trade in the centre of the ring instead.

Fulton's legs are clearly tired, and Figueroa is coming on stronger here with activity and some nice uppercuts up close. His power has also gone by this point in the fight, though, so it seems unlikely that he will be able to get the finish he needs.

10-9 Figueroa, 107-102 Fulton

Fulton continues to ignore the advice of his corner and stays on the rope for much of the tenth round. Figueroa had a good spell there with body shots and hooks up close; Fulton was forced to revert to a philly shell defense to avoid being winded by body shots. Fulton had his moments earlier in the tenth with a combo and counter-punching, but it was better work from Figueroa.

10-9 Figueroa, 98-92 Fulton

The boos roar into the arena, but it's been a technical masterclass from Fulton.

Four countering punches connect for Fulton early in the eighth as Figueroa tries to close the distance, but is met with a full arsenal of punches for his trouble. The right uppercut, right-hand body shot double was the best of the spell. So much so that Fulton has continued to look for that uppercut in round 8.

Fulton's trainer, Bozy Ennis, however, is not happy that his charge is fighting with his back to the ropes.

10-9 Fulton, 79-73 Fulton

Figueroa launches an attack on Fulton early in the 7th. Fulton clinches, circles, and steps back to long-range before firing a 1-2. That sequence tells the story of many of the rounds thus far. Figueroa attempts to keep the fight at close and mid-range where he can get off his best work, but Fulton knows it is a mismatch when it's long-range sharpshooting.

Figueroa landed a couple of solid left hands in the 7th, but Fulton is far more effective on the counter throughout the course of the round.

10-9 Fulton, 69-64 Fulton

Figueroa manages to keep the fight up close for the majority of round 6, where he can theoretically do his best work.

Body attack from Figueroa early in the sixth followed by a right hook upstairs. Short, sharp hooks and uppercuts land on the inside for the featherweight champ. Fulton is still countering whenever he can do, and a right uppercut was an eye-catching shot for him.

Combo from Fulton to end the sixth. Figueroa's best round of the fight since the opener, but he still may not have done enough to win it.

10-9 Fulton, 59-55 Fulton

Figueroa just cannot connect with a meaningful punch on Fulton. Figueroa attempts to close the distance but ends up smothering himself. Fulton is "pot-shotting" perfectly with single punches, particularly the right hands. He counters Figueroa and waits until the pair separate giving Fulton the distance to restart. Figueroa needs to feint more and spend longer on the inside.

10-9 Fulton, 39-37 Fulton

The last time, these two squared off, it was a Fight of the Year contender because of the high output from both men. Tonight's fight is vastly different through 3; it's been about sharp single punches — and that is sure to suit Fulton.

Fulton is quickly finding a home for his backhand on Figueroa's face as well as with the left hook counter. Figueroa can't match Fulton when it's a fight of single shots, he needs to push the pace and keep the fight up close, but difficult to do with how sharp Fulton has been with his counter-punching tonight.

10-9 Fulton, 29-28 Fulton

Figueroa switches to southpaw and attempts a single left hand, which Fulton counters with his straight right.

A solid right hand lands for Fulton in the second minute, the best connect of the fight so far.

Good counter work from Fulton in the final minute of round 2 with single left hooks and backhands.

10-9 Fulton, 19-19

Cagey opener between Figueroa and Fulton. Both men trying to establish their left-hand jabs, but that isn't what Figueroa is known for, and Fulton is struggling to do so against the taller Figue

10-9 Figueroa

Brandon Figueroa defends his WBC featherweight title in a rematch with Stephen Fulton.

Figueroa (25-1-1, 19 KOs) lost a majority decision to Fulton (22-1, 8 KOs) in 2021 when the pair fought in a tremendous super bantamweight championship unification contest.

Isaac Cruz takes a unanimous decision (96-94, 97-93, 98-92) win over Angel Fierro in their ten-round super lightweight slu

Cruz & Fierro begin round 10 with what they've been doing all night long, trading at centre ring.

Fierro clearly has more energy though and is forcing the action, while Cruz is looking for heavier thuds.

MASSIVE LEFT HOOK connects for Cruz, he needed a punch like that. The ten-second buzzer rings and both men almost agree to slug it out until the final bell.

What a fantastic fight!

10-9 Fierro. Final score: 95-95

Cruz has one round off, one round on, and this seems to be his round off. Fierro is outlanding Cruz in the exchanges, even though they aren't putting a dent in Cruz at this stage of the fight. The steam from Cruz's punches have gone as well, and now it's just two men trading leather.

The crowd ERUPTS as Fierro and Cruz stand in the center of the ring and let big shots go with both hands. I can't believe the intensity at which this fight is being fought at in the ninth round.

10-9 Fierro, 86-85 Cruz

Good comeback from Cruz after a couple of better rounds for Fiero. Cruz is pounding the body and landing heavy combinations in the 8th. Fierro is responding but not with the same power or ferocity as Cruz.

This fight is INSANE! An absolute war; so much action in 8 rounds and there is very little to split them.

10-9 Cruz, 77-75 Cruz

Left uppercut-right hand over the top combination from Cruz early in round 7. Both men missing in the 7th, they seem to have tired significantly with their accuracy the victim of fatigue.

That was a very even round, some back-and-forth action, some significant moments for both. However, it is clear that the pace has slowed now, and this is a battle of attrition.

10-9 Fierro, 67-66 Cruz

Slower round for Cruz, who must surely be feeling the pace now. Fierro backs him up in spots and manages to outwork Cruz in the exchanges. Fierro managed to create distance and keep Cruz chasing after him, smart work from Fierro.

Combination connects for Fierro, Cruz ate some big power punches there, including an uppercut. Tremendous action through six!

10-9 Fierro, 58-56 Cruz

Fierro catches Cruz coming in with an uppercut and a hook. He is trying to copy the "Rayo" Valezenuela strategy to beat Cruz by countering him on the back foot early in round 5.

Cruz attacks the body of Fierro, hoping to slow him down for the later rounds. Fierro fires back with a 4-punch combination.

Much better second half for Cruz, who ROCKS Fierro with a right hand and connects seconds later with another right cross. Monster left hook from Cruz finds a home on Fierro's chin at the end of the 5th.

10-9 Cruz, 49-46 Cruz

WHAT A ROUND!

Fierro had more success in the first two minutes of the round with some backfoot boxing with Cruz's left hook the only significant punch landed by him in that duration.

In the final minute, Cruz caught Fierro with a hard right hand, and Fierro responded immediately after with his own backhand that noticeably wobbled Cruz. Fierro sensed this was his opportunity and began to unload on Cruz, but Cruz only knows one way: trade fire with fire.

Some incredible exchanges between Cruz and Fierro in the final minute. Fierro found more success with the uppercut.

10-9 Fierro, 29-28 Cruz

Two HUGE left hooks early in round 2 from "Pitbull" Cruz; Fierro just shakes them off. 1-2 from Cruz follows, backing Fierro up; he was hurt there. Cruz is putting a beating on Fierro up to now.

Fierro almost sinks from a left hook downstairs but somehow stays on his feet to return the favor with a pair of hooks to the body just seconds later.

BIG right hand from Cruz connected on Fierro's chin. Surely Fierro can't stand up to much more of this?

10-9 Cruz, 20-18 Cruz

DOMINANT opener for Isaac Cruz.

Cruz and Fierro waste no time getting straight to business. Cruz is bullying Fierro around the ring, landing big power shots. It was an overhand right that began proceedings, but Cruz was landing everything on Fierro, including hooks with both hands and the straight right hand.

Fierro had a moment of success towards the end of the round when he let his hands go for a combination, but nothing overly significant. All-action between the Mexican warriors so far.

10-9 Cruz

Isaac Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs) looks to bounce back from his defeat to Jose Valenzuela in August against Angel Fierro (22-2-2, 17 KOs). Fierro is also coming off the back of a defeat, having been outboxed by Alfredo Santiago in his light welterweight debut in June.

With 45 seconds to go in round 8, the referee decides that there is no need for Jeison Rosario to take any more punishment and hands Jesus Ramos Jr. the TKO victory.

Rosario was on the wrong end of a beatdown from the opening bell, the bout was entirely non-competitive.

Jesus Ramos Jr. TKO-8

Ramos DROPS Rosario at the end of round 7 with a crushing 1-2 down the middle. Rosario is down for the 11th time in his career. There is no need to send Rosario out for round 8!

10-8 Ramos, 70-62 Ramos

1-2 from Ramos breaks the guard. Ramos lands a pair of POWERFUL uppercuts and Rosario is hurt along the ropes, he fires back a left hook and attempts to get out of harm's way.

Ramos connects with a hard left hand on Rosario's body followed by a combination upstairs. This fight is only going one way!

10-9 Ramos, 60-54 Ramos

Ramos hammering left hands on Rosario in round 4. For the first time in the fight, Ramos has started to hold his ground and really let power shots go consistently rather than hit and move.

Rosario isn't having any success at all. Unless he can turn something around, it wouldn't be surprising to see this fight being stopped in the next couple of rounds.

10-9 Ramos, 40-36 Ramos

Best round of the fight for Jesus Ramos Jr.

Ramos is starting to put his punches together now in 3-4 punch combinations. Rosario just cannot break the distance without getting caught on the way in. More brilliant body work from Ramos.

A 3-punch combination from Ramos breaks the guard. All one-way traffic up to now!

10-9 Ramos, 30-27 Ramos

Ramos is flicking out a nice southpaw jab early in round two, Rosario is attempting to pile on the pressure but it has been ineffective up to now.

A straight left-hand connects for Ramos. It was not a powerful shot, but it was eye-catching. Ramos continues to target Rosario's body with power hooks. A combo for Ramos connects.

10-9 Ramos, 20-18 Ramos

Rosario starts the contest attempting to walk Ramos Jr., who is moving laterally, down. Jabs are fired from both men during a cautious opening minute.

Ramos starting to let his southpaw straight left hand go in the second half of the opener to the head and to the body. Ramos starting to throw hooks to the body in the final stages of round 1; the body is clearly a focus area for him because of how frequently Rosario gets hurt downstairs.

10-9 Ramos