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