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Brunch Boxing After the Bell: Benavidez vs. Morrell, Shields vs. Perkins, and More

Writer's picture: Matthew  BrownMatthew Brown

02/03/2025



PBC on Prime Video Recap, Results and Grades. Plus results from the rest of the boxing weekend: Benavidez and Morrell put on a classic, Fulton silences doubters, Cruz-Fierro & Cuello-Olivo go to war, and Shields-Perkins heavyweight title tilt highlight a huge boxing weekend.


The eyes of the boxing world turned to Las Vegas, Nevada, this past weekend as Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) made its triumphant 2025 debut with their first PBC PPV on Prime Video event.


The stacked card, promoted by TGB Promotions, Sampson Boxing and Warriors Boxing, was headlined by an explosive battle between two hard-hitting, unbeaten light heavyweights—David Benavidez and David Morrell. In the co-main event, Stephen Fulton silenced his doubters, climbing back to the mountaintop with a statement win over Brandon Figueroa, while Isaac Cruz and Angel Fierro waged an all-out war in a battle of Mexican warriors.


Meanwhile, in Flint, Michigan, history was made as Claressa Shields faced Danielle Perkins for the first-ever undisputed women’s heavyweight championship.


Brunch Boxing was there to cover every punch, knockdown, and story behind the gloves. Here’s a full breakdown of the event, from results to grades, plus results from around the world in this action-packed, drama-filled weekend of boxing.


Las Vegas, Nevada


David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) UD12 David Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs)

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions


In the main event, Mexican superstar David Benavidez continued his march toward light heavyweight supremacy with a commanding unanimous decision victory over David Morrell.


The bout was hyped as a can’t-miss banger, and Benavidez and Morrell did not disappoint. In front of a raucous crowd, Benavidez and Morrell put on a modern-day classic.


The fight, built on bad blood and a high-stakes clash of styles, delivered fireworks from the opening bell. Morrell started fast, using his slick footwork and sharp counters, but Benavidez’s relentless pressure and punishing body work began wearing him down.


The crowd erupted in Round 11 when Morrell dropped Benavidez with a counter right hand, though replays suggested an unintentional trip played a role. However, Morrell’s momentum was cut short after a controversial point deduction for hitting after the bell.


In the end, Benavidez’s sustained aggression and superior volume earned him a well-deserved win, with scorecards reading 118-108, 115-111, and 115-111.

 

What’s Next:

Benavidez now holds the Interim WBC and WBA World Light Heavyweight titles, making him the mandatory challenger for the Beterbiev-Bivol winner. A Canelo Alvarez bout remains a distant possibility.


Morrell will regroup and likely return against a Jesse Hart-level opponent.


Grade: A+


Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

 

Stephen Fulton (23-1, 8 KOs) UD12 Brandon Figueroa (25-2-1, 19 KOs)

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions


If nobody believed in Stephen Fulton anymore, he made them believers again.


In a rematch of their thrilling 2021 encounter, Stephen Fulton regained championship glory by outclassing Brandon Figueroa to win the WBC Featherweight title.


Fulton dominated from the outset, boxing beautifully behind his jab and landing sharp counters. Figueroa, typically an all-action pressure fighter, looked out of sync and failed to mount significant offense. The T-Mobile Arena crowd grew restless, expecting a war but witnessing a one-sided masterclass instead.


Judges scored it 117-111, 116-112, 116-112 for Fulton.


What’s Next:

Fulton will likely defend against Rey Vargas, the WBC champion-in-recess. If Vargas won’t be ready, the WBC has ordered a final elimination bout between Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington and Enrique Vivas, which is set to take place on March 29.


Figueroa must reassess his future—he may opt for a move to super featherweight.


Grade: A-


Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

 

Isaac Cruz (27-3-1, 18 KOs) UD10 Angel Fierro (23-3-2, 18 KOs)

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions


Former junior welterweight champion Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Angel Fierro engaged in an all-out Mexican civil war, with Cruz eking out a razor-close unanimous decision.

 

In what was expected to be a war, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Angel Fierro delivered an all-action brawl worthy of its hype.


From the opening bell, Cruz bulldozed forward, landing heavy shots to the body and head. Fierro responded in Round 3, stunning Cruz with a right hook that led to a furious final minute. Both fighters engaged in brutal exchanges, with Cruz pulling ahead in the later rounds.


The judges scored it 98-92, 97-93, and 96-94 for Cruz.


What’s Next:

Cruz positions himself for a Gervonta Davis rematch or a matchup with the winner of the WBA Junior Welterweight Championship bout between Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela and Gary Antuanne Russell.


Fierro, despite the loss, made some new  fans and will get another big fight.


Grade: A+


Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

 

Jesus Ramos (22-1-1, 18 KOs) TKO8 Jeison Rosario (24-5-2, 18 KOs)

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions


Ramos battered former unified champion Jeison Rosario with a vicious body attack before finishing him in Round 8.

 

What’s Next:

Ramos will drop back to 154 lbs, where names like Jermell Charlo and Sebastian Fundora await.


Rosario may need to consider retirement.


Grade: C+


Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

 

Mirco Cuello (15-0, 13 KOs) TKO10 Christian Olivo (22-2-1, 8 KOs)

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions


In a stunning comeback, Mirco Cuello rebounded from an early knockdown to stop Christian Olivo in the 10th round of their WBA Featherweight Eliminator.


Down on the cards, Cuello landed a left hook to the body, then followed up with another shot that forced the stoppage with just a minute left.


Cuello trailed on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage by scores of 88-82, 87-83 and 86-84.


The bout served as the main event of the free portion of the PBC PPV on Prime Video event.


What’s Next:

Cuello is now in line for a title shot against Nick Ball, as confirmed to Brunch Boxing by his promoter Sampson Lewkowicz.


Olivo will look to rebuild against a mid-level opponent.


Grade: A+


Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

 

Yoenli Hernandez (7-0, 7 KOs) TKO5 Angel Ruiz (18-4-1, 13 KOs)

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions


Top WBA middleweight contender Yoenli Hernandez battered a game, but outgunned Angel Ruiz en route to a fifth-round TKO victory.


What’s Next:

Hernandez wants a shot at the WBA title held by his countryman Erislandy Lara.


Ruiz will likely head back to lower level bouts until his number is called again.


Grade: B


Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions

 

Curmel Moton (7-0, 6 KOs) TKO3 Frank Zaldívar (5-2, 3 KOs)

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions


Blue-chip prospect Curmel Moton (7-0, 6 KOs) dominated Frank Zaldivar (5-2, 3 KOs), scoring a stoppage victory in the third round of in their lightweight bout.


What’s Next:


Moton has been going back and forth on social media with lightweight Abel Mendoza.


Grade: B+


Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions


Overall Event Grade: A+

Fan Grade: A+ to A

 

Flint, Michigan


Claressa Shields (16-0, 3 KOs) UD10 Danielle Perkins (5-0, 2 KOs)

Photo Credit: Salita Promotions


The Dort Financial Center hosted the homecoming of one of Flint’s favorite daughters, as Claressa Shields, fighting at home for the first time since 2021, defeated Danielle Perkins via unanimous decision to become the first ever undisputed women’s heavyweight champion.


Despite fighting through a shoulder injury, Shields dominated with superior speed and boxing IQ, earning a unanimous decision and making history as boxing’s first four-time undisputed champion.


What’s Next:


Shields needs recovery time but has Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Hanna Gabriels, Savannah Marshall, and Cris Cyborg on her radar.


Grade: A


Photo Credit: Salita Promotions

 

Brandon Moore (17-1, 10 KOs) DQ8 Skylar Lacy (8-1-2, 6 KOs)

Photo Credit: Salita Promotions


Moore and Lacy engaged in an awful, foul-filled heavyweight stinker that will only be remembered for its ending. In a scene out of the previous day’s WWE Royal Rumble, Lacy tackled Moore, sending both guys careening out of the ring, through the ropes and through a table. Referee, Steve Willis gave a last man standing-type count, while both men struggled to get back in the ring, until he decided to wave off the contest, disqualifying Lacy.


What’s Next:


Possibly a rematch… at WWE’s Elimination Chamber?


Grade: F

Ending: A+ on the comedic scale


Photo Credit: Salita Promotions

 

London, England


Adam Azim (13-0, 10 KOs) KO9 Sergey Lipinets (18-4-1, 13 KOs)

Photo Credit: Boxxer


British prospect Adam Azim scored a career-best victory, stopping Sergey Lipinets with a devastating uppercut in Round 9.


Azim overcame two point deductions for low blows before closing the show in emphatic fashion.


What’s Next:


Azim may take a domestic-level fight next.


Lipinets should consider retirement.


Grade: C+

 

Other Results:

Daniel Blancas (12-0, 5 KOs) UD8 Juan Barajas (11-1-2, 7 KOs)


John Easter (8-0, 7 KOs) UD6 Joseph Aguilar (6-3-1, 3 KOs)


Jose Benavidez Jr. (29-3-1, 20 KOs) TKO5 Danny Rosenberger (20-10-4, 10 KOs)


Gabriela “Sosa” Tellez (4-0, 1 KO) MD6 Abril Anguiano (4-1, 2 KOs)


Kaipo Gallegos (8-0-1, 6 KOs) UD6 Leonardo Padilla (24-7-1, 17 KOs)


Leon Lawson III (17-0, 10 KOs) TKO8 Christopher Thompson (9-3, 6 KOs)


Joseph Hicks (12-0, 8 KOs) TKO7 Keon Papillion (10-1-1, 7 KOs)


Callum Simpson (17-0, 12 KOs) TKO5 Elvis Ahorgah (13-3, 12 KOs)


Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Premier Boxing Champions


Final Thoughts:

From Benavidez’s dominance, Fulton’s resurgence, and Shields’ historic night, this weekend had it all. Brunch Boxing had a front-row seat to an unforgettable few days, and if this is a sign of what’s to come in 2025, boxing fans are in for a ride.


Subscribe to the Brunch Boxing website, Twitter and Podcast for more updates and in-depth coverage of the world of boxing in and out of the ring.


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