Benavidez Boxing Match Draws 12,109 To T-Mobile Arena Saturday; Benavidez: ‘My Fan Base Is Here In Las Vegas’
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By Cassandra Cousineau, LVSportsBiz.com Boxing Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — On Saturday night, boxing returned to ruling this desert sports town.
David Benavidez solidified his place among boxing’s elite with a unanimous decision victory over a surging David Morrell at T-Mobile Arena. The judges scored the bout 115-111, 115-111, and 118-108 in favor of Benavidez, who added the WBA (Regular) light heavyweight title to his WBC interim belt.
The event drew an announced attendance of 12,109 at T-Mobile arena.
That attendance was the biggest of Benavidez’s career. The Phoenix-born 28-year old calls Vegas his fighting home.
“I am a Las Vegas fighter,” he told LVSportsBiz.com earlier in the week.
He made it clear at the post-fight press conference that his future remains stateside, specifically in Nevada, despite growing Saudi interest in his career. Check the LVSportsBiz.com interview with Benavidez.
“At the end of the day, my fan base is here in Las Vegas. “I would love to go over there and fight, but this is my market right here. We just sold out T-Mobile Arena, my dream come true. I wanna take it back to this market ‘cause I’ve worked elevan years. This is my first time having a freaking crowd like this. I want to stay here.”
His comments came in response to increasing speculation about his involvement in Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in boxing.
Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and a major force behind the Kingdom’s high-profile boxing events, has been openly assembling a wish list of top-tier fighters for 2025.
However, Benavidez was notably absent from Alalshikh’s initial poster of names.
When asked by LVSportsBiz.com about being left off the list, Benavidez didn’t express concern, though Alalshikh did extend an olive branch after the fight. Alalshikh’s digital boxing publication, The Ring, reported that he wants to match the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch with the Benavidez-Morrell winner.
We just sold out T-Mobile Arena, my dream come true. — David Benavidez
As a result, Alalshikh invited Benavidez to be ringside for Bivol vs. Beterbiev on February 22 in Saudi Arabia, setting the stage for a potential undisputed light heavyweight showdown.
Benavidez’s marketing future remains a hot topic. He’s young, in his prime, has a huge Mexican and U.S. fan base. All could make him a priority for future U.S. mega-events, particularly in venues like T-Mobile Arena or neighboring MGM Grand Garden Arena. However, the lure of massive paydays in Saudi Arabia will likely continue to be part of the conversation.
For now, Benavidez remains focused on his next move. With his name firmly in the mix for a potential undisputed title fight, the decision on whether to take his talents abroad or continue to build his legacy in Las Vegas could shape the next phase of his career.
