Volume is the problem Morrell hasn’t solved
Smith has a good blueprint for attacking Morrell, based on his performance against David Benavidez last February. In that fight, Benavidez focused on volume punching throughout the 12 rounds. Morrell is not built for sustained hitting as he tires quickly after throwing shots. So he couldn’t match Benavidez’s output and was forced to cover up while Benavidez unloaded.
Why Smith’s usual style won’t work here
Callum will need to focus on throwing repetitive punches if he wants to replicate what Benavidez did against Morrell. If Smith fights like he usually does, focusing on charging for singles, he will fight in the style that the Cuban-born Morrell does well against.
The 35-year-old Smith is not young, and it is doubtful that he can change his game for this fight to become Benavidez-esque for him to defeat Morrell with volume. Trying to change his typical fighting style to focus on increasing his output may be impossible for an older fighter like him.
Both fighters are coming off grueling contests. Smith’s fight against Joshua Buatsi last November was a brutal one with both guys trading hard punches for the full 12 rounds. In the end, Callum’s superior strength and body work got the better of Buatsi. We don’t know what Smith has left after that fight.
Covering up is not controlled
Morrell, 27, was forced to rally to defeat Imam Khataev via a 10-round split decision after being dropped in the fifth round in his last fight on July 12, 2025. In the fight, Morrell showed the same vulnerabilities he had in his loss to Benavidez. He often covered up on the ropes, allowing the powerful Khataev to hit him with uncontested shots at will.
Although Morrell seemed to block most of the punches, the image of Khataev raining down shots on him looked like he was winning. As in the Benavidez match, Morrell went on the attack at times, easing Khataev to the point where he appeared to be nearly knocked out.
Instead of Morrell finishing him off, he’ll retreat and cover up again. It was hard to tell if it was a stamina problem or a lack of a killer instinct. Either way, it’s the same problem Morrell showed against Benavidez and in his fight against Radivoje Kalajdzic. Morrell got hurt early and inexplicably returned.
