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 BoxingScene 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.
