Las Vegas, T-Mobile Arena. - In a light heavyweight grudge match between unbeaten rivals, David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) secured a twelve round unanimous decision over David Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs), with scores of 115-111, 115-111 and 118-108. The fight was a WBC final eliminator. (photos by Esther Lin)

A close first round, with both fighters getting their punches in. Benavidez was working the body often. In the second, both had moments of success and it appeared that Benavidez was landing the heavier blows. The third saw Morrell picking his spots as they were trading away in spots. Morrell was connecting with the left, while Benavidez was landing the right.

The fourth and fifth were fireworks, with twists and turns - as Morrell was pressing and bringing the fight to Benavidez at times. In the sixth, it was Benavidez landing some heavy blows on Morrell - especially when he connected with the uppercuts. He continued to connect will on Morrell during the seventh.

Benavidez, who had swelling around both eyes, was tagging up Morrell to the body and head during the eight. Morrell had some moments during the ninth, but he was still being outlanded. The tenth was more of the same, with Benavidez holding control of the fight.

In the eleventh, Morrell was coming forward, letting his hands go and trying to turn the tide. Morrell scored a flash knockdown when he caught him while off-balance. However, Morrell lost a point when he punched Benavidez after the bell.

At the start of the twelfth, a swelled-face Morrell went right after Benavidez, who was rocking him back with big punches. As the round played out, Benavidez was connecting well with selected punches to the head and body.