David Morrell is ready for a quick return following a rugged decision win last month against Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic.
Morrell handler Luis DeCubas Sr. told BoxingScene that the light heavyweight will likely return on December 21 against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. DeCubas Sr. said the fight could likely headline a PBC on Prime Video non-pay-per-view event at the Armory in Minneapolis.
The 26-year-old southpaw Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) has fought six times at the Armory in Minnesota, the adopted hometown of the Cuban contender.
“We’re looking at different guys in the top 10 for the December 21 date,” DeCubas Sr. told BoxingScene. “Morrell draws a great crowd and sells out the Armory, bringing a great atmosphere of nearly 7,000 fans. The people love him there. That’s where I would like for the fight to take place, and hopefully, something big will happen after that. We’re not going to let him sit.”
Morrell has fought only once so far this year, looking uneven at times against Kalajdzic during his 175-pound debut. For the first time in his five-year career, the knockout artist Morrell lost multiple rounds. It wasn’t the vicious new version he promised, but he still outlanded Kalajdzic 134 to 102 in the 12-round clash.
Morrell’s fight against Kalajdzic took place deep down on the undercard of Riyadh Season’s debut show in the United States on August 3. DeCubas Sr. said the regularly-headlining Morrell had to get accustomed to the new elements of fighting outdoors under the scorching Los Angeles summer heat at 4pm.
Heading into the fight, Morrell was riding a seven-fight stoppage streak, and eight of his nine career KOs had come inside four rounds.
“You can’t knock everybody out. Kalajdzic is a top 175 pounder,” said DeCubas Sr.
After facing a game contender later this winter, the plan is for Morrell to make the leap against the division’s crème de la crème.
“Hopefully, we will fight David Benavidez,” said DeCubas Sr. “We want the fights as well as with Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev after they fight as well on October 12. We’re ready to fight anyone. We have never turned down a fight.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, USA Today, The Guardian, Newsweek, Men’s Health, NFL.com, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Ring Magazine, and more. He’s been writing for BoxingScene since 2018. Manouk is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
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