Ronnie Shields has trained an all-star roster of fighters. Among those he is currently working with is David Morrell Jnr – and despite Morrell’s unanimous decision loss to David Benavidez in February, Shields is encouraged by the light heavyweight contender’s progress.

“I just feel that he’s young, so he needs to get right back in there,” Shields said in an interview with Ron Goodall of FightHype. “I would love to see him fight in the next couple months, to tell you the truth.”

Morrell, 11-1 (9 KOs), is a power puncher with a more aggressive style than that of many other top Cuban boxers. Benavidez handed him his first professional loss in a wide yet violent unanimous decision. Morrell had his moments, notably shaking Benavidez in the fourth round with a counter right hand. But he suffered a steady battering from Benavidez’s hooks, body shots and uppercuts.

“With a little more experience, I think he could’ve really won the fight,” Shields said of Morrell. “We feel great about what he did, and where he’s at right now, and I think we just need to get him back as soon as possible.”

At 26 years old, Morrell is one of the more exciting fighters in the light heavyweight division, which is stacked with good fighters but undeniably top-heavy. Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol have fought twice for the undisputed championship, each earning a majority decision win. Beterbiev is 40 years old. Joshua Buatsi recently took a beating from Callum Smith, who himself was brutalized by Beterbiev. Benavidez and Morrell could take over the division next.

Shields also gave Benavidez his due.

“Benavidez is one of the best fighters in the world,” said Shields, who added that he couldn’t wait for a Bivol-Benavidez summit. “I think that’s a 50-50 fight.”

The trainer’s focus, though, is helping Morrell make waves at 175lbs, and preparing him for an eventual rematch with Benavidez.

“These guys, they’re gonna see each other again,” Shields said.

Owen Lewis is a former intern at Defector media and writes and edits for BoxingScene. His beats are tennis, boxing, books, travel and anything else that satisfies his meager attention span. He is on Bluesky.