David Morrell’s Move to Lightweight: A Strategic Shift Amidst Super Middleweight Snubs

David Morrell’s team dropped the Cuban super-middleweight division to light heavyweight because none of the top 168 fighters were willing to face him. Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez ignored him, neither of them showed any interest in facing him.

Super Middleweight Cold Shoulder

“Morrell left 168 for sure. A better fight at that weight was impossible. After defeating Yamaguchi Falcao, we were ready to face David Benavidez in November 2023, but Benavidez’s team ended up not accepting the fight,” said Luis De Cubas speaking to Ringside TV.

Then, according to De Cubas, they tried to fight with Edgar Berlanga, but the representatives of the New Yorker in “Matchroom” refused to fight. Regarding the fight between Canelo’Alvarez and Morrell who is the undefeated super middleweight champion, De Cubas said, “Forget it,” because the fight will not come. Morrell would want the Canelo fight, but the feelings are not the same.

New Opportunities at Light Heavyweight

That’s why he moved Morrell from 168 to 175 pounds. “People forget that when Morrell was 17 years old, he faced two-time champion Julio César La Cruz at 178 pounds. His best ateur results were in that weight; he went down to 168 pounds in professional boxing.”

In addition, De Cubas believes that what happened in Saudi Arabia and the fight between light heavyweight champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol on October 12 could create an opportunity for big fights.

If David Benavidez decides to stay at 175, there may be opportunities for a tough fight in that weight class. “To be great, you have to face and beat the best. In light heavyweight, now we have the best, and we want to face them all,” said De Cubas about his desire to match Morrell with top fights.

David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs ) fights Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs) for the vacant WBA light heavyweight title on August 3rd on the undercard of Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. That event seems to be the best event of the year.

Also on the August 3rd card are notable fights Isaac Cruz, Andy Ruiz, and Jared Anderson in separate fights.

Boxing fans are waiting to see what David Morrell can do at light heavyweight. Many fans believe that Morrell has made physical gains while campaigning at super middleweight.

The 6’3″ Kalajdzic beats the 6’1″ Morrell in the size department. However, if Cuban Morrell can handle his opponent, the table will soon be tipped to see him face the winner of Beterbiev vs. Bivol.

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