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