BoxRec

Safe to say there are no easy fights at the top level of light heavy these days

WBO officials have scheduled a purse bid hearing for November 25

good fight, there was a time morrell looked a special talent, but since moving to 175 he's skittish and his power seriously dropped off. right now id put it as very close fight to call

Any date for this?

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025, 08:28 Any date for this?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑18 Nov 2025, 13:12 WBO officials have scheduled a purse bid hearing for November 25

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025, 08:40

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025, 08:28 Any date for this?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑18 Nov 2025, 13:12 WBO officials have scheduled a purse bid hearing for November 25

Thanks

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑18 Nov 2025, 18:29 good fight, there was a time morrell looked a special talent, but since moving to 175 he's skittish and his power seriously dropped off. right now id put it as very close fight to call

Agreed. Several years ago I thought Morrell was going to be one of the big, bad boogeymen at 168, but he has been less than impressive at 175. This should be a good fight, and I wouldn't be surprised if Smith won it.

MPW wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025, 10:27

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑18 Nov 2025, 18:29 good fight, there was a time morrell looked a special talent, but since moving to 175 he's skittish and his power seriously dropped off. right now id put it as very close fight to call

Agreed. Several years ago I thought Morrell was going to be one of the big, bad boogeymen at 168, but he has been less than impressive at 175. This should be a good fight, and I wouldn't be surprised if Smith won it.

If Smith wins he's put together a pretty good resume over the years (even if some fights were controversial wins). He'd still be worthy of facing Bivol and Benavidez as underdogs and should also finish off Yarde's time near the top too.

Callum Smith-David Morrell: WBO grants extension, postpones purse bid

Boxing’s beloved purse bid enthusiasts will have to wait until after Thanksgiving for its next serving.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that the WBO granted a one-week extension regarding the ordered Callum Smith-David Morrell interim light heavyweight title fight. The matter was previously scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, but postponed after Matchroom Boxing requested a few more days to work with Warriors Boxing on agreeing to a deal outside the purse bid process.

“Matchroom Boxing requested a 1-week extension to reach terms,” WBO president Gustavo Olivieri confirmed to Boxing Scene and other outlets. “Team Morrell through Warriors Boxing had no objection & therefore, the parties have until Friday, November 28 @ 5pm (AST) to strike a deal.”

Liverpool’s Smith, 31-2 (22 KOs) is the current WBO interim 175lbs titlist. Cuba’s Morrell – a former secondary titlist both at super middleweight and light heavyweight – is the recognized mandatory challenger.

Smith-Morrell was first ordered earlier this summer, shortly after Morrell, 12-1 (9 KOs) edged unbeaten Imam Khataev in their entertaining July 12 clash in Queens, New York. Frequent updates suggested the possibility of the bout moving forward, but the matter ultimately lingered for months.

WBO officials demanded a status update earlier this month, but neither Matchroom nor Warriors responded to the inquiry.

Still, it is hoped that the two sides can find common ground – whether to strike a deal, or to agree to go their separate ways.

Smith claimed the interim version of the WBO 175lbs title in a points win over countryman Joshua Buatsi on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He has not fought since that night, though he was previously in talks for targeted showdowns with two-division and current WBC light heavyweight titlist David Benavidez and former title challenger Anthony Yarde.

Benavidez ultimately faced and defeated Yarde via one-sided, 7th round knockout last weekend in Riyadh.

Should Smith-Morrell push forward, the winner will become a mandatory challenger in waiting to Dmitry Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs), the current lineal and unified WBA, IBF and WBO champion. The IBF is next in the rotation and attempting to sort out its own ordered interim title dilemma.

Callum Smith-David Morrell heads back to purse bid, set for December 4

The Callum Smith-David Morrell clash is once again available to the highest bidder.

An extension granted to the long-ago ordered WBO interim title fight turned out to be the latest waste of time afforded this matter. For the second time in two weeks, all parties involved ignored an imposed deadline, which prompted the sanctioning body to resubmit the bout to the purse bid circuit.

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri confirmed to Boxing Scene and other outlets that a December 4 hearing will be held to determine promotional rights.

The development comes shortly after Matchroom Boxing, Smith’s promoter, requested an extension on Tuesday – the morning of the purse bid hearing. Warriors Boxing, who represents Morrell, did not object to the motion, which allowed things to drag out even longer than necessary.

Liverpool’s Smith, 31-2 (22 KOs), is the current WBO interim light heavyweight titlist. He won the secondary belt following a February 22 unanimous decision over countryman Joshua Buatsi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The bout took place on the undercard of Dmitry Bivol’s majority decision victory over Artur Beterbiev to avenge his lone career defeat and claim the undisputed 175lbs championship.

Smith functionally became a mandatory challenger in waiting for the crown, though the WBO is deep in the rotation. Bivol was first ordered to honor his WBC mandatory against David Benavidez, the WBC interim titlist at the time. The bout was sent to a purse bid, only for Bivol to withdraw from the proceedings and vacate his title.

Bivol still holds the WBA, IBF and WBO titles. IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert is not only next in line, but long overdue to receive his title shot.

Meanwhile, the WBO has done its best to keep the line moving on its side, given its general disdain for interim titles. One was granted last fall, to allow Bivol and Beterbiev to first meet for the undisputed crown, which was won by Beterbiev via majority decision.

Less than one month prior to their October 12 meeting, Buatsi outpointed Willy Hutchinson to claim the WBO’s secondary title at light heavyweight. His stay was brief, as he lost to Smith – a former WBA super middleweight titlist – in his first attempted defense.

Smith has not fought since their clash earlier this year.

Morrell, 12-1 (9 KOs) has fought twice this year.

He dropped a competitive but clear decision to Benavidez this past February 1 in a rare unification bout between secondary titleholders. Benavidez defended his WBC interim belt and won Morrell’s WBA “Regular” (world) 175lbs title.

Barely five months later, Morrell landed back in the win column. However, he had to walk through hell – and survive a knockdown – to edge unbeaten Imam Khataev via 10-round decision on July 12 in Queens, New York.

Smith-Morrell was ordered soon thereafter but just sort of lingered throughout the second half of the year. until the WBO attempted to expedite the matter earlier this month.

Callum Smith vs David Morrell now has a deal agreed, the WBO have revealed.

The fight will be for the WBO 'interim' light-heavyweight belt with date/venue to be announced soon

Callum Smith and David Morrell reach terms for WBO interim 175lbs title fight

The long-discussed Callum Smith-David Morrell matchup is finally in play.

Representatives for both parties have reached terms for their previously ordered WBO interim light heavyweight title fight, the sanctioning body confirmed Thursday morning. The update came just in time to cancel a purse bid hearing that was scheduled for Thursday at WBO headquarters in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“The [WBO] hereby announces that it has received written confirmation from Matchroom Boxing (Smith’s promoter) and TGB Promotions/Warriors Boxing (for Morrell) indicating that the parties have reached an agreement,” the sanctioning body informed Boxing Scene and other outlets in an official statement. “Accordingly, the purse bid scheduled for [Thursday] at the WBO Main Offices is terminated, effective immediately.”

Neither a date nor location were provided as this goes to publication.

It was long speculated that the fight could land on the January 31 Ring VI show, headlined by the recently confirmed Teofimo Lopez-Shakur Stevenson WBO/lineal 140lbs championship. However, such details regarding this matchup remain forthcoming and Boxing Scene has learned this fight is more likely destined to land on a February show either in England or Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

For now, it means that Liverpool’s Smith, 31-2 (22 KOs) can move forward with his inaugural defense of his secondary title. The former WBA and lineal 168lbs king has yet to fight since his February 22 unanimous decision over countryman Joshua Buatsi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The win came as part of the loaded Riyadh Season card topped by Dmitry Bivol’s revenge-fueled win over Artur Beterbiev to win the undisputed 175lbs championship. In that vein, Smith’s placement on the card was appropriate, though there was no clear indication that his mandatory status would be enforced anytime soon.

In fact, Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs) has yet to fight since that show due to surgery from previous lingering injuries and is not due to return to the ring until the first quarter of 2026.

He’s already vacated the WBC title, now held by David Benavidez, 31-0 (25 KOs) who somehow remains the WBA mandatory as its regular titlist. Bivol is also long overdue to honor his IBF mandatory against Germany’s Michael Eifert.

Given all that, the WBO decided to assign Smith with a mandatory of his own. This bout was ordered earlier this summer, shortly after Morrell, 12-1 (9 KOs) edged unbeaten Imam Khataev via 10-round, split decision in their July 12 thriller in Queens, New York.

The win came five months after Morrell dropped a competitive but clear decision to Benavidez on February 1 in Las Vegas. Their entertaining clash marked a rare unification match between secondary titleholders; Benavidez retained his WBC interim 175lbs belt and claimed the WBA “Regular” title from Morrell with the win.

More than four months have passed since Smith-Morrell was first ordered and met with several delays in even getting the matter to a purse bid hearing.

In the end, the destination proved to be worth the cost of the journey.

Callum Smith-David Morrell WBO interim clash stuck in a holding pattern

A long-discussed clash previously believed to be in play is suddenly stuck in a holding pattern.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that plans are paused on the ordered Callum Smith-David Morrell WBO interim light heavyweight title fight. The two sides previously reached an agreement for a bout once budgeted to take place in February.

However, a major shift in the 1st quarter schedule has left the fight without a home and Matchroom Boxing to figure out a contingency plan.

Liverpool’s Smith, 31-2 (22 KOs) holds the secondary version of the WBO 175lbs belt, while Morrell – a U.S.-based Cuban boxer – remains his mandatory challenger. The bout was ordered last July, shortly after Morrell rebounded from a loss to David Benavidez with a narrow victory over Imam Khataev via 10-round, split decision in their July 12 thriller in Queens, New York.

Nearly four months passed, along with several extensions and postponements in the negotiation and purse bid process. Matchroom Boxing (Smith) and Warriors Boxing/TGB Promotions (Morrell) huddled and came to terms in time to avoid a December purse bid.

There were plans to stage the fight on a targeted Riyadh Season show in March. The event was to have been topped by the ring return of former two-division titlist Anthony Joshua. Understandably, that dynamic is no longer in play. Joshua, 29-4 (26 KOs) was involved in a horrific car crash that resulted in the tragic loss of two close friends and team members last month in Nigeria. The hulking Brit will spend the next several months away from the public eye as he continues the healing process and eventually consider his future (if any) in the sport.

“Originally that fight was scheduled for March in Riyadh,” promoter Eddie Hearn told veteran boxing reporter Carlos Linares. “We don’t know, obviously with the AJ situation, what’s happening about that date or that show.

“Myself, (Morrell manager) Luis DeCubas, we’re working very hard to establish where [Smith-Morrell] will take place. We need to make sure that fight happens sooner rather than later.”

Smith has yet to fight since his unanimous decision over countryman Joshua Buatsi to claim the WBO interim belt last February 22 in Riyadh. The win came as part of the loaded card topped by Dmitry Bivol’s revenge-fueled win over Artur Beterbiev to win the undisputed 175lbs championship.

In that vein, Smith’s placement on the card was appropriate.

Bivol, 24-1 (12 KOs) is no longer the undisputed champ but still holds the primary versions of the WBA, IBF and WBO titles. He also has not fought since that show due to surgery from previous lingering injuries. However, the two-time light heavyweight champ is on course to return this spring, likely against overdue IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert.

Heading back to purse bids

2nd Feb is purse bids

Callums going to be older than dirt by the time this fight gets sorted.

Few year back Hearn would have won the purse bid, big night in liverpool on ppv. Both fighters get a decent payday.

Thats what this fight should be,instead we're waiting on a big saudi card.

Bigdogsnose wrote: ↑25 Jan 2026, 04:51 Callums going to be older than dirt by the time this fight gets sorted.

Few year back Hearn would have won the purse bid, big night in liverpool on ppv. Both fighters get a decent payday.

Thats what this fight should be,instead we're waiting on a big saudi card.

Would Smith v Morrell do a big crowd in the UK? Not so sure

forcefraser wrote: ↑25 Jan 2026, 05:46

Bigdogsnose wrote: ↑25 Jan 2026, 04:51 Callums going to be older than dirt by the time this fight gets sorted.

Few year back Hearn would have won the purse bid, big night in liverpool on ppv. Both fighters get a decent payday.

Thats what this fight should be,instead we're waiting on a big saudi card.

Would Smith v Morrell do a big crowd in the UK? Not so sure

Think it'd do alright in liverpool. Fill out (or sell well) whatever arena is in liverpool, do some decent ppv figures.

Not sure where else it could go. New york? Less money it'd have thought.

Thats the problem now though, unless its a mega fight we are sitting out waiting for the big saudi cards

ANNOUNCED: Callum Smith and David Morrell will fight for the WBO 'interim' light heavyweight belt on April 18th in Liverpool on DAZN.

Callum Smith-David Morrell confirmed for Apr. 18 in Liverpool

Matchroom announced Tuesday that Smith and Morrell will do battle for the Englishman's WBO "interim" light heavyweight title on April 18. Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena will play host and the event will stream live on DAZN.

The pair had been in talks since last summer, when the fight was ordered by the WBO, but negotiations were constantly hit by delays and a purse bid cancellation.

Smith hasn't been in action since his Fight of the Year contender with Joshua Buatsi nearly a year ago in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The former Ring super middleweight titleholder beat Buatsi by unanimous decision.
Morrell last fought in July on the undercard of "The Ring III" and overcame a knockdown to outpoint Imam Khataev via split decision.

Smith is The Ring's No. 3-ranked light heavyweight while Morrell sits sixth on the list.

PAT BROWN VS. VASIL DUCAR CONFIRMED

Matchroom also confirmed Pat Brown's return to the ring.

Brown was nominated for The Ring's 2025 Prospect of the Year and will next fight on April 3 against the experienced Vasil Ducar at Planet Ice in Altrincham, live on DAZN.

The 26-year-old made his professional debut in March 2025 and racked up five wins, all of them inside the distance, before the end of the year.

Also on the Altrincham card are Alfie Middlemiss, William Crolla, Joe Howarth and the newly-signed Croft twins, Ioan and Garan.

Brilliant fight. Fair play Morrell coming over here for it as well.

‘I’m confident’: Callum Smith feels good about his chances to beat David Morrell

Callum Smith makes his return to the ring next month in a matchup with David Morrell.



As WBO interim light heavyweight titleholder Callum Smith (31-2, 22 KOs) prepares for his next fight against David Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) on April 18 in Liverpool, England, he quickly touches on the fight and explains that he’s certainly feeling good about his chances to beat Morrell despite the relatively even odds.

“Very confident in my own abilities,” Smith said. “Believe I’ll have a good camp, get the tactics right, and I go in there and I always believe at my best I can beat anyone in the world and I believe I’ll beat David Morrell. I rate him as a fighter, I think he’s a very good fighter. He’s going to possess some problems that I need to overcome but I’m excited to be back in Liverpool, happy to put on a show for my own fans. So I’m confident I can go in there and do a good job.”

Smith, 35, has won two straight fights including a decision win over Joshua Buatsi over a year ago since he got stopped by Artur Beterbiev back in early 2024.

Morrell, 28, had been riding high until a clear decision loss to David Benavidez early last year proved to be a setback. He’s since come back to narrowly edge a 10-round split decision win over Imam Khataev last summer but there will continue to be questions about his trajectory heading into this fight.

CALLUM SMITH RELISHING HOME ADVANTAGE FOR DAVID MORRELL FIGHT

Callum Smith believes that home advantage could play a small but crucial role in his upcoming fight with David Morrell.

Smith (31-2, 22 KOs) will defend his WBO interim light heavyweight title against the talented Cuban on April 18. Their fight will take place at the M&S Bank Arena in Smith’s hometown of Liverpool, England.

Smith, ranked third among The Ring’s 175-pound contenders, hasn’t boxed since February 2025, when he won the WBO interim belt with a thrilling 12-round decision victory over Joshua Buatsi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

All of the 35-year-old Smith’s biggest nights have taken place on foreign soil.

In December 2020, Smith traveled to San Antonio in Texas to box a prime Canelo Alvarez in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith lost their super middleweight unification match by unanimous decision.

In January 2024, he crossed the Atlantic to challenge the fearsome Artur Beterbiev in Quebec City, Canada, near Beterbiev’s adopted hometown of Montreal. Beterbiev successfully defended his WBC/WBO/IBF light heavyweight titles with a seventh-round stoppage.

Even Smith’s 2018 seventh-round stoppage of George Groves in the final of the prestigious World Boxing Super Series – a win which earned him The Ring and WBA 168-pound titles – took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Smith hasn’t boxed in Liverpool since beating John Ryder in 2019, but finally has the opportunity to bring a major fight to his hometown.

“It's a massive thing,” Smith told The Ring.

“It's huge for me. It’s been a long time since I've been able to fight in front of my own fans. I've said before I'm proud to be from this city, proud to represent them and they always back their own. I've had great support from day one. I’ve been on a bit of a world tour over the last few years, so it's good to finally get one back at home.”

“It's a massive fight as well. I think when people see me in Liverpool they kind of assume it's a routine defense, but this is a very high-level championship fight and I'm very fortunate that I do get to have it in my backyard.”

Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) will box outside of the United States for the first time in his professional career.

At the very highest level, the margins are so fine that tiny details can make massive differences.

The 28-year-old southpaw will have to deal with what is expected to be a large, loud crowd, but a hostile fight night atmosphere is just one of the factors a traveling fighter needs to contend with.

As well as acclimating to a different climate and time zone, they need to find places to eat and kill time. They have to put their trust in unfamiliar faces and importantly, need somewhere comfortable to make weight. Smith has been through the process time and time again and is pleased that, for once, he can concentrate solely on the fight.

“I know he's Cuban,” Smith said, “but he's based in the States, so making him come out of his comfort zone will be a bit of a bonus and then me being in my comfort zone back at home, them little percentages can make a difference. Especially at this level.

“The small percentages can be the difference between winning and losing. Fingers crossed that if the fight does get tough, then I've got a crowd cheering me on and trying to pull me through it. I'm excited to put in a big performance and hopefully come away with a win.”

Smith on where he could go with a win over Morrell
“Look, take care of David Morrell — fingers crossed — but then I’m in a position where I just want big fights…It’ll take a big fight to motivate me. I’d love the Benavidez one, I’ve always said that for many years now. I think it’s a fight that should’ve happened and probably will happen. Is he a genuine cruiserweight? No. He’s probably a 175, he’s not long come from 168…I don’t see Benavidez as a fully fledged cruiserweight so I think there will probably be a lot of people who’d be willing to go up to fight him at that weight division, but I say take care of David Morrell first. But, look, there’s a lot of massive fights for me and fights that do excite me and motivate me.”

On if he wants a rematch with Canelo
“Look, I’d love that fight again. I’ve always said we didn’t see the best version of me. He performed well, he did his job, but I always said I’d like to see a better version of me in with him…For now the focus is I got to beat David Morrell.”

On whether Thurman can roll back the clock against Fundora
“I don’t know whether you’ve seen the best of Keith Thurman, I think in his prime he was an armful. He’s never been the most pleasing on the eye but he’s always been effective and he’s got some really good wins. I think Fundora’s on a really good run of form…I think momentum’s probably just with Fundora and I think providing a massive upset I think Fundora should come through.”

On Wilder going against Chisora
“I think the Zhang fight and a few of the others have shown he’s probably not the same fighter since the Fury trilogy. I think that really took a lot out of the two of them but it definitely took a lot out of Wilder. His punch resistance doesn’t really seem the same anymore. Derek’s Derek — you’re getting what you get with him and it’s now become probably a tough fight to pick a winner in.”

On Wardley vs Dubois
“I favor Wardley just in terms of he’s unbeaten, he’s got that bit of invincibility about him and he’s got that mentality where ‘even if it’s not going right I’ll get the job done’ and he’s shown that in those two previous fights…I just think mentally and momentum is with Wardley.”