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 BoxingScene 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.
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.
