David Morrell expects to face Callum Smith after last minute Zak Chelli fight on Wardley-Dubois card
David Morrell totally expects his WBO ‘interim’ title fight to be rescheduled, regardless of there being a component of uncertainty as to when Callum Smith will return to motion.
The pair had been supposed to lock horns in Liverpool last month, just for former world champion Smith to pull out with an undisclosed injury.
It is way from perfect, in fact, that Smith has not fought since February 2025, when he unanimously outpointed Joshua Buatsi to declare his ‘interim’ light-heavyweight title.
But regardless of the inactivity of Smith, whose restoration timeline stays unclear, there’s a seemingly want from each events to reschedule the Morrell fight for later this 12 months.
Until then, Morrell should stay within the win column as he makes a fast pitstop towards former British and Commonwealth champion Zak Chelli this Saturday.
Taking place at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, their contest replaces Jared Anderson vs Solomon Dacres because the chief help for Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois.
This took place due to some deft dealing with of the state of affairs by prime supervisor Luis DeCubas Jr, who has successfully saved his shopper from spending a 12 months on the shelf.
Grateful for the chance, Morrell tells Boxing News that his preliminary response to Smith’s harm was certainly one of true professionalism.
“I didn’t have much of a reaction – it’s part of being a professional athlete. Being a fighter, you need to train your mindset and just be ready for whatever [comes your way].
“So I stayed calm and just kept training.”
While believing the Smith fight will “100%” be rescheduled, Morrell remains acutely aware of the danger that comes with taking his eye off the ball.
He learned this particular lesson in his last outing, when a lack of focus, by his own admission, caused the talented Cuban to suffer a fifth-round knockdown against Imam Khataev.
Still, Morrell managed to edge a split decision last Julybut it was far from the type of performance we are accustomed to seeing from the skilled technician.
“That fight wasn’t good; I wasn’t 100% targeted. Several issues had occurred inside my private circle.
“With a guy like Khataev you should box, move around, and use those abilities to control the fight. But because I wasn’t 100% focused, I just used my fighting instincts and came away with the victory.”
Following the Khataev fight, Morrell parted methods with Ronnie Shields and joined forces with head coach Ismael Salas, coaching alongside the likes of Rolando Romero, Alberto Puello and Yoelvis Gomez.
“[Salas has] brought back some of that Cuban schooling, which I had lost a little bit when I came to the States and was training in Houston [Texas]. Going back to your roots is always important.
“There was also a communication [barrier] in my last camp, but with everyone now speaking the same language, and being on the same page, it’s had a really positive impact [on his training].”
With Salas in his nook, Morrell has seemingly rediscovered the silky abilities that introduced him appreciable success within the amateurs.
Now hoping to showcase his expertise to a UK viewers, when he faces Chelli, the 28-year-old seems prepared to show why he is likely one of the premier contenders at 175lbs.
