Callum Smith vs. David Morrell | DAZN - Postponed

[Ruthless-RKO]

[joshj909]

Good fight if it gets made between two guys on the fringes of the proper belts. If Smith wins, he's right there to take a fight with Benavidez or Bivol should he beat Beterbiev.

[margaret thatcher]

morrell already reaping the benefits of the gift he got vs khatev

[Taansend]

The Aussies need to get Khataev out as soon as possible Remind everyone who he is.

As for this fight, cracking bout. Very even but Smith getting older.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Matchroom finalizing Callum Smith-David Morrell, Subriel Matias-Dalton Smith with Turki Alalshikh/PBC

It seems two big fights are in the works for later this year.

The first is a light heavyweight dust up between Callum Smith and David Morrell. Smith, the WBO interim title holder, was ordered earlier this month to defend his title against Morrell. Morrell is coming off of a split decision victory over Imam Khataev on July 12, while Smith has not fought since his 12-round thriller with Joshua Buatsi back in February.

Smith was in talks to face WBC 175lb champion David Benavidez, who also defeated Morrell in February, but his countryman Anthony Yarde pipped him to the fight that will land on November 22 in Saudi Arabia.

The second fight is a junior welterweight title fight between WBC champion Subriel Matias and mandatory challenger Dalton Smith. Smith has been waiting patiently for his shot as the WBC No.1 ranked challenger for some time, and was ringside for the recent title fight between then-champion Alberto Puello and Matias. Matias got the nod in a close fight that night and Smith was invited into the ring afterwards with Riyadh Season/The Ring boss Turki Alalshikh declaring the two would fight next.

Callum and Dalton Smith’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealed to reporters on Monday that negotiations for both bouts are now well underway.

“Yeah we've been talking to PBC [about Smith-Morrell],” Hearn said. “As we are about Subriel Matias-Dalton Smith – finalizing that as well. Callum Smith's up for the David Morrell fight. Obviously he'd prefer it to be for a world title rather than his interim, but it's a great fight. We're negotiating that fight now with PBC and [Turki Alalshikh], and hope to wrap up Callum Smith-David Morrell and a final confirmation of Subriel Matias against Dalton Smith very soon.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Morell Jnr and Callum Smith – ‘0’ or no – are surging into November 22

Investment in a tremendously rich fight card is underway in Saudi Arabia again with the revelations that a tilt between top light heavyweight contenders David Morrell Jnr and Callum Smith and a 140lbs title fight between return champion Subriel Matias and Dalton Smith seem bound for a loaded November 22 card in Riyadh.

On Thursday’s edition of ProBox TV’s “BS Today,” analysts Chris Algieri and Paulie Malignaggi discussed the bouts and clearly favored Morrell-Smith as the most intriguing.

“Morrell’s strength of confidence in his amateur experience is such that [he] wants the biggest, baddest athletes around,” Algieri said. “I tip my hat to him. It’s a new age. Having to have an ‘0’ is no longer a thing. He’s lost. Big deal. We’ll still see him in big fights.”

Cuba’s Morrell, 12-1 (9 KOs), has fought unbeaten WBC titleholder David Benavidez and Russia’s Imam Khataev in his past two fights, getting off the canvas versus Khataev to win by split decision.

In former super middleweight belt holder Callum Smith, 31-2 (22 KOs), Morrell will confront a 35-year-old coming off an impressive triumph in Saudi Arabia in February over Joshua Buatsi.

“He’s literally going for all the big dogs,” Algieri said, as Phoenix’s Benavidez is due to anchor the November 22 card in a bout versus Anthony Yarde.

Malignaggi said Smith’s wear and age make him unsure if “Callum can beat Morrell. … Morrell is the fresher of the two.”

Malignaggi explained that Morrell’s wealth of amateur experience schooled him in handling a steady string of difficult bouts before he turned pro, keeping him in bold position as he presses to become a world titlist.

“It’s why he can compete at this level [at age 27] and it’s why he can move faster,” Malignaggi said. “He’s not a bona fide world champion yet, like Smith.”

With trainer Buddy McGirt by his side, Smith produced an impassioned effort in defeating Buatsi. He has been in prior talks to fight Benavidez, and winning in November would leave Smith ideally poised for a 2026 shot at the Benavidez-Yarde winner and then at the winner of the 175lbs trilogy title match between champion Dmitry Bivol and former champion Artur Beterbiev.

“He’s had a nice resurgence at 175,” Algieri said in reference to Smith’s 168lbs title loss to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

Matias, 23-2 (22 KOs), has also redeemed himself after losing his IBF 140lbs belt to Liam Paro in a June 2024 setback in his native Puerto Rico before collecting the WBC belt by defeating Alberto Puello by majority decision on July 12.

In the ring, Saudi Arabia boxing financier Turki Alalshikh informed Matias that he would next be fighting England’s Dalton Smith, 18-0 (13 KOs), and Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn announced the bout will happen.

Algieri said he wished Matias would have granted an immediate rematch to Puello considering the 114-114, 115-113, 115-113 scores.

“I don’t like the fact Puello’s being sidetracked,” Algieri said.

But Malignaggi noted Puello did the same to Sandor Martin after their narrow title fight.

“Dalton Smith is a guy who’s getting readied for the big time by Matchroom, and this is going to be that match,” Malignaggi said.

While Smith might not be at the world-class level, solving the come-forward Matias is not like dealing with a Rubik’s Cube.

“We’ll see if Dalton Smith is the goods,” Algieri said.

The November 22 card is also due to feature a welterweight title defense by WBO belt holder Brian Norman Jnr versus two-division champion Devin Haney, a junior bantamweight unification between Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and Fernando Martinez, and a bout for the vacant WBO lightweight belt between Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes.

[MightyWarrior]

So two of U.K.’s hot young prospects in acid world title fights on the same bill abroad, that’s quite something

[mickey1975]

So two of U.K.’s hot young prospects in acid world title fights on the same bill abroad, that’s quite something

Both Matchroom fighters, who have a shocking UK schedule...

[JC]

So two of U.K.’s hot young prospects in acid world title fights on the same bill abroad, that’s quite something

Who are the two? Dalton Smith and Itauma?

[mickey1975]

So two of U.K.’s hot young prospects in acid world title fights on the same bill abroad, that’s quite something

Who are the two? Dalton Smith and Itauma?

Callum and Dalton Smith.

[JC]

So two of U.K.’s hot young prospects in acid world title fights on the same bill abroad, that’s quite something

Who are the two? Dalton Smith and Itauma?

Callum and Dalton Smith.

Right, I was confused because Callum Smith isn't a prospect.

[joshj909]

Who are the two? Dalton Smith and Itauma?

Callum and Dalton Smith.

Right, I was confused because Callum Smith isn't a prospect.

You mean 35 year-old, two weight world champion and further two time title challenger with a record of 33-2 isn't a hot young prospect?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Callum and Dalton Smith.

Right, I was confused because Callum Smith isn't a prospect.

You mean 35 year-old, two weight world champion and further two time title challenger with a record of 33-2 isn't a hot young prospect?

I mean Hughie Fury is still considered a prospect right???

[MightyWarrior]

I’m getting confused, I thought Sam Noakes Mason was on the same bill as Dalton Smith

[Ruthless-RKO]

I’m getting confused, I thought Sam Noakes Mason was on the same bill as Dalton Smith

should be yh.

the smith fight hasnt been finalised yet.

[PredatorHayds]

I would favour both Callum and Dalton in these.

[Ruthless-RKO]

CALLUM SMITH TOLD TO TAKE A BREAK AS DAVID MORRELL FIGHT TALKS STAGNATE

Russ Anber has been in Callum Smith's corner for over a decade.

From wrapping the Liverpudlian's hands and imparting nuggets of wisdom to lending a knowledgeable ear, Anber has been there for all the highs and lows across no less than three continents.

It's safe to say, besides Callum's three siblings, the highly-regarded Canadian boxing guru knows better than most what the former Ring and WBA super middleweight world champion needs.

While the man himself continues keeping busy in the gym, anticipating a fight date, nothing has materialised in recent months.

Potential matchups with David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde were mooted but the pair are now facing one another, headlining a busy Ring IV card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 22.

Joshua Buatsi, who he beat in a fight of the year contender on February 22 to win the WBO interim world title, has a fight booked for his Queensberry debut against Zach Parker on November 1.

So, what would Anber like to see next from the 35-year-old?

"I'd like him to get a break. He's always facing jack the giant killer, a Canelo Alvarez, Artur Beterbiev, an unbeaten Buatsi," Anber told The Ring.

"It's like every fight has to be a war with him and that wouldn't have been any different if they made the Benavidez fight - another killer. It'd be nice to see him have an easy fight one time maybe, but he's such a warrior who always brings action. It would've been nice to see another domestic dust-up with Yarde."

Supporting the sport's amateur scene at the World Championships in his native Liverpool, Smith told BS earlier this week there was no update on a return timeline.

"I'm in the same position as yourselves [waiting], the fight has been ordered but when it'll be, I'm not sure. I'm on my team daily to give me more updates but it's not as straightforward as you'd like at times, things don't move as quick, I'm just waiting."

"I'm in the gym, live a good life so when I do get the call for a fight date, I'll step it up and be ready again."

When asked to preview Benavidez-Yarde, Anber couldn't help but reminisce on how the heavy-handed Briton fared against Beterbiev in January 2023. He made it clear though, Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) cannot box the same way.

"Man, Benavidez is special. Yarde is good - don't get me wrong - but he took more punishment than any guy who has fought Beterbiev and fired back. He stayed in there toe-to-toe for eight rounds, full credit to him, no-one, not even Bivol, could do that.

"He can't box like that against Benavidez because his volume is even more than Beterbiev. Some guys are special, I don't know what it is, he dominated everyone at super middleweight, moved up to 175-pounds and that didn't make a difference. Some guys are special, do things at a different level and David's got a gift from the gods."

[SeanBrennan]

seems sensible advice from Anber although Smith doesn't need too much inactivity at his age.

[joshj909]

He's 35 and if he sits out or drops down for too long then younger guys might overtake him. The winners of the Benavidez-Yarde and the Morrell fights, possibly even the Buatsi fight too, will be the ones in the best positions to take vacant belts or get the next title shots once Bivol and Beterbiev go, which could be soon. If Smith faces someone irrelevant he may have to work his way back up to relevancy further than he'd like to.

Realistically, Morrell is the fight to take if he wants to remain a top 3 contender. That's if he can't get a fight with Bivol. There are a few fights outside of the top 5-10 but most of them are medium/high risk, low reward.

[THEBUTCH]

Two world rated boxers facing each other. It's an excellent match up, nothing more - nothing less.

The light heavyweight division is as good as its ever been. Not only does it have a number of boxers who could hold their own in any era, they are also facing each other. A boxing fan's dream !

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Morrell vs. Callum Smith in the works for early 2026

A highly palatable pitting featuring two of the top light heavyweights in the thick of the division appears likely, as a fight between David Morrell and Callum Smith is in the works for the first quarter of next year, Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn told The Ring.

“I talked to Turki Alalshikh about staging that fight as part of a Saudi card in early 2026,” said Hearn. “We've pretty much agreed to that, and I think you'll see it hopefully land there. It's a tremendous fight, a brilliant fight.”

Smith is ranked third by The Ring at 175 pounds. Morrell is seventh.

Smith (31-2, 22 KOs) was a finalist to land a date against David Benavidez for the Ring IV card on November 22 in Saudi Arabia, but Anthony Yarde ultimately got the assignment. Smith last fought in February and outlasted the previously undefeated Joshua Buatsi in a slugfest to capture the WBO interim title.

Smith, a 35-year-old from Liverpool, petitioned in May for a mandatory title shot against Ring and unified champion Dmitry Bivol, but the sanctioning body denied the request.

Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs), meanwhile, has had a rocky year. The 27-year-old Cuban southpaw was fortunate to sneak away with a split decision win against Imam Khataev in July during a fight in which he got dropped. Morrell also lost against Benavidez in February by unanimous decision.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hearn is saying this will be in Riyadh in 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

Callum Smith and David Morrell Jnr warned as deadline nears for ordered bout

A final plea was made by the WBO for the teams surrounding Callum Smith and David Morrell Jnr to pick up the pace for a bout ordered months ago.

All involved parties were cautioned that terms must be reached by Friday to avoid a purse bid hearing for their mandatory WBO interim light heavyweight title fight.

The WBO first ordered the bout on July 21 and agreed to stand down after receiving promises that Matchroom Boxing (Smith) and Warriors Boxing (Morrell) were on the verge of delivering a date and location. Instructions were given during the annual WBO convention last month in Bogota, Colombia, to put a bow on the matter.

Another reminder was issued on Thursday by WBO president Gustavo Olivieri.

“The WBO will grant the parties until [Friday] 4:00 p.m. (AST) to reach terms,” warned Olivieri. “Failure to do so will result in ordering purse bid proceedings.”

Should the bout push forward, the winner will become one of three mandatory challengers in waiting to Dmitry Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs). The lineal and unified WBA, IBF and WBO champion, Bivol has recovered from surgery and resumed training for a planned January return.

England’s Smith, 31-2 (22 KOs), currently holds the secondary version of the WBO belt.

Smith, a 35-year-old from Liverpool, UK, claimed the title in a February 22 unanimous decision win over then-unbeaten countryman Joshua Buatsi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He has yet to return to the ring, despite what were deemed as positive talks with the respective camps for both WBC light heavyweight titlist David Benavidez and veteran contender Anthony Yarde.

Ironically, those fighters are set to face each other atop a November 22 Riyadh Season show.

Morrell, 12-1 (9 KOs), rebounded from a hard-fought loss to Benavidez in February with a nailbiting, split decision win over unbeaten Imam Khataev.

The 27-year-old Cuban southpaw Morrell survived a fifth-round knockdown to prevail by the slimmest of margins (95-94. 96-93, 94-95) in the thrilling 10-round clash with Khataev on July 12 in Queens, New York. He was then summoned just nine days later to begin talks with Smith, though subsequent rumors suggested that the bout was on target for either November or January.

Neither appear to be true at the moment, given the near four-month stretch since the WBO first ordered the fight. There is still the possibility of a January showdown; Riyadh Season is rumored to be putting together a January 31 event, with several bouts already rumored for the card.

Whatever plans are hoped for relating to Smith-Morrell, the WBO will need confirmation by close of business on Friday.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

DAVID MORRELL VS. CALLUM SMITH HEADED TO PURSE BID

With the clock running out on David Morrell and Callum Smith (31-2, 22 KOs), the WBO has decided to step in.

The sides were given until Friday evening to work out a deal on a 175-pound fight, but they evidently failed to show progress. Thus, the sanctioning body will now move forward with a purse bid.

If they fight, the winner between Smith (the WBO interim titleholder) and Morrell (ranked No. 2) would be in a strong position to challenge champion Dmitry Bivol.

Smith (31-2, 22 KOs), ranked No. 3 by The Ring, has expressed a high level of interest in facing No. 6 Morrell because he considers the Cuban one of the best fighters in the world.

The Liverpudlian is coming off one of his most impressive victories in years, a unanimous decision over the favored Joshua Buatsi on February 22.

Meanwhile, Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) is trying to find himself. The former two-division secondary champion was handed the first defeat of his career at the hands of David Benavidez on February 1, a clear unanimous decision. A few months later, on July 12, he got up from a knockdown to win a controversial decision against Imam Khataev.

He recently parted ways with trainer Ronnie Shields and started working with Ismael Salas.