David Morrell made a strong statement on a big stage.
The 168-pound contender needed less than a full round to put Yamaguchi Falcao down twice and brutally knock him out on the Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia card Saturday in Las Vegas.
The official time was 2:22 of Round 1.
“I’m so excited,” Morrell said. “This was a big moment and a big night for me, so a knockout in the first round is incredible. But this is boxing. First round, second round, I’m not worried when the knockout comes but I got it in the first round.
“I think this is the best moment of my career tonight. It was a big event and a big name. I want to fight the best in the division.”
Morrell (9-0, 8 KOs) began to land hard power shots almost from the opening bell of the scheduled 10-rounder.
The beginning of the end came less than two minutes into the fight, when the Minneapolis-based Cuban hurt Falcao (24-2-1, 10 KOs) with a left uppercut. He followed with several more heavy blows, including a right hook that sent the Brazilian into the ropes for the first knockdown.
Falcao was able to continue but another, more brutal right hook put him back onto the canvas, where he didn’t move for several minutes.
What’s next for Morrell? He reiterated after the that he wants to face two-time titleholder David Benavidez, who is generally considered the second best super middleweight after Alvarez.
“David Benavidez is next,” he said. “Where is he? I want to fight Benavidez, man. He’s next, 100 percent. I don’t want any other guys at 168 pounds. Just Benavidez.
“I respect Benavidez and his team, but inside the ring, I don’t respect nothing.”
Morrell was defending the WBA’s “regular” 168-pound title, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize. Canelo Alvarez is the undisputed champion.
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