Better Fighter Going Forward: David Morrell or Joshua Buatsi

[KTFOKING]

These guys may be the future of the LHW division, but if you had to put money one of them going forward, who do you go with? Buatsi won the bronze medal in 2016 and has delivered thus far in the pro ranks and Morrell was an established amateur himself though he did not make the Olympic team in 2016 as the great Julio Cesar La Cruz represented the Cuban national team at LHW. Morrell is five years younger but Buatsi started boxing pretty late himself so he is still getting better.

Pretty tough pick here.

[Citizen Koba]

If I had to put money on it? Buatsi. Just cos we've seen more of him and he's looked fantastic up to the level he's fought. The fact that we've seen next to nothing of Morrell in the pro ranks, combined with his youth could go either way - potentially his ceiling is limitless at this point, and his youth means he's got longer to try to fulfil that potential, but equally he could fall on his ass in his next fight. If I'm putting money on it I'm going with the more proven commodity, but I also think that potentially Morrell could reach a higher peak.

If that makes sense?

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

It’s very hard to judge Morrell based off his limited pro career. I don’t remember even seeing him do that much internationally as a senior amateur, I know he won youth medals, Cuban nationals and possibly had a couple of fights in the WSB.

On the other hand, I’ve seen a lot of Buatsi both amateur and pro. So going off what I’ve seen I can’t really make a fair assessment at this moment. I’m not massively sold on Buatsi though tbh, I really rated him as an amateur but his pro career has really stalled IMO. Not his fault whatsoever but the matchmaking has been horrendous. I’d like to see him fight Callum Johnson ASAP.

[KTFOKING]

If I had to put money on it? Buatsi. Just cos we've seen more of him and he's looked fantastic up to the level he's fought. The fact that we've seen next to nothing of Morrell in the pro ranks, combined with his youth could go either way - potentially his ceiling is limitless at this point, and his youth means he's got longer to try to fulfil that potential, but equally he could fall on his ass in his next fight. If I'm putting money on it I'm going with the more proven commodity, but I also think that potentially Morrell could reach a higher peak.

If that makes sense?

Absolutely. You're basically saying Buatsi is the safer bet and sometimes that is the way to go.

It looks like Morrell will be moved fast though. So we will see if he is the real deal soon enough.

[KTFOKING]

It’s very hard to judge Morrell based off his limited pro career. I don’t remember even seeing him do that much internationally as a senior amateur, I know he won youth medals, Cuban nationals and possibly had a couple of fights in the WSB.

On the other hand, I’ve seen a lot of Buatsi both amateur and pro. So going off what I’ve seen I can’t really make a fair assessment at this moment. I’m not massively sold on Buatsi though tbh, I really rated him as an amateur but his pro career has really stalled IMO. Not his fault whatsoever but the matchmaking has been horrendous. I’d like to see him fight Callum Johnson ASAP.

I was just going to say, Buatsi's career stalling, is that really on him? And I wouldn't quite say it has stalled, just that we haven't gotten the step up fight that he seems ready for. Hopefully that happens soon.

Here is his fight against La Cruz in 2016 when he was 19 years old:

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

I was just going to say, Buatsi's career stalling, is that really on him? And I wouldn't quite say it has stalled, just that we haven't gotten the step up fight that he seems ready for. Hopefully that happens soon.

Here is his fight against La Cruz in 2016 when he was 19 years old:

I feel like Buatsi has been treading water for like 18 months now. The likes of Averlant, Quinlan, Ford etc he could have beaten on his pro debut. He was definitely the standout from our 2016 Olympic team but for some reason less talented fighters like Okollie for example seem to have been moved much faster than Josh has.

I’m not sure whether it’s his promoter, manager or whoever but it seems they are reluctant to take the Johnson fight. It makes perfect sense IMO. Great test and would likely shift a few tickets over here.

[KTFOKING]

I feel like Buatsi has been treading water for like 18 months now. The likes of Averlant, Quinlan, Ford etc he could have beaten on his pro debut. He was definitely the standout from our 2016 Olympic team but for some reason less talented fighters like Okollie for example seem to have been moved much faster than Josh has.

I’m not sure whether it’s his promoter, manager or whoever but it seems they are reluctant to take the Johnson fight. It makes perfect sense IMO. Great test and would likely shift a few tickets over here.

Yeah, I know Hearn at one point said he couldn't get anyone to step up to fight Buatsi but I don't buy that. It's not like Buatsi is the first hard hitting good prospect we have seen.

Johnson is a solid fight for sure and would love to see it next. He should be fighting a IBF eliminator soon as well. So if he can get Johnson next and then Salamov? That would be solid and puts him in position to challenge for the IBF title.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Yeah, I know Hearn at one point said he couldn't get anyone to step up to fight Buatsi but I don't buy that. It's not like Buatsi is the first hard hitting good prospect we have seen.

Johnson is a solid fight for sure and would love to see it next. He should be fighting a IBF eliminator soon as well. So if he can get Johnson next and then Salamov? That would be solid and puts him in position to challenge for the IBF title.

Yeah same here that basically translates into I’m not willing to pay big purses to opponents or I’m not willing to put one of my top prospects in a tough fight.

Yeah Johnson, Salamov, I think Caparello was being discussed at some point. Any of those guys would be decent step up. I’d love to see the Johnson fight from a British perspective, but we definitely need to see the speed of Buatsi’s progression increase.