Comments Thread For: David Morrell Jr. scores unanimous decision over Radivoje Kalajdzic

[CubanGuyNYC]

As Joseph said, power wasn't the issue. Team Hot Rod chose a good strategy for Morrell, and Morrell didn't (or couldn't) adjust. Morrell seemed dead-set on trying to get the knockout, and was swinging power punches.

I wholeheartedly agree that this particular fight should lead to development. Hot Rod fully exploited Morrell's inexperience and proved that Morrell's skillset/ring IQ is more limited than fans think. This is why we're always harping on about his inactivity. He can't develop if he's not active, and his IQ can't expand if he doesn't start facing guys who can force him out of his comfort zone. That's why I wanted to see him vs. Benavidez and Mbilli, because they provide certain challenges that Morrell has yet to see.

Yeah, you can’t go in trying to KO everyone — especially as you step up in class. Morrell might need more fights than I previously imagined, before he shoots for the stars. Benny is out for now.

[Joseph]

If Morrell is going to stay at 175, I'd like to see him against maybe a couple of the lower-end top twenty guys first. Get some rounds in. I think any one of those guys should offer enough experience to take Morrell the distance, and that's what he needs most.

[kiaba360]

Yeah, you can’t go in trying to KO everyone — especially as you step up in class. Morrell might need more fights than I previously imagined, before he shoots for the stars. Benny is out for now.

Regardless of how Morrell performed, Benavidez wasn't going to fight him. I've read fans saying that Benavidez looked better in his LHW debut, but how they performed against Gvozdyk/Hot Rod will not determine how they will perform against each other. I think Morrell is capable of beating Benavidez right now. Morrell has all the physical attributes; the more experience he gains, the more formidable he will be.

[crimsonfalcon07]

Power was why David won the fight. Fights are scored by effective aggression, ring generalship, defense, and hard and clean strikes. The shots Morrell landed were far more impactful than the arm shots with no weight transfer landed by Hot Rod (who nonetheless gave a good account of himself), and that's the biggest reason he got the nod from the judges. Judges who love Shakur style might have given the win to Kaladjzik, but more favor the guy coming forward and landing the harder shots. That's part of why it's such a delicate balance to be the boxer on the outside as your style.

[uppercut510]

Morell needs more fights, stop rushing these guys into big fights, look at jared anderson

[garfios]

Morell needs more fights, stop rushing these guys into big fights, look at jared anderson

I'm with you, but Morrell Jr has a much better and deeper foundation than Anderson. I think this fight will motivate DMJ, while the lost could discouraged Jared, hopefully that wouldn't be the case.

[uppercut510]

I'm with you, but Morrell Jr has a much better and deeper foundation than Anderson. I think this fight will motivate DMJ, while the lost could discouraged Jared, hopefully that wouldn't be the case.

yea i agree with you on this one

[PBR Streetgang]

Hot Rod is no soft touch. He was beaten by Beterbiev but he most definitely beat Marcus Browne. From what I recall, he knocked down Browne and wasn't awarded the KD...conversely, Browne was given a KD that wasn't really a knockdown if my memory serves me right.

[MikeyMike100]

I had the fight as a draw. Not a very good performance. Could've gone either way