Teddy Atlas predicts that Imam Khataev David Morrell will give a ‘test’ on Saturday night in their 10-round light heavyweight fight on July 12 at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. Atlas looked at Khataev’s fighting from 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, and he notes that he has a good chin. He could possibly take Morrell’s power.
Morrell (11-1, 9 CO’s) steps back with world-class competition after his loss of David Banavidez in February last year. Former two divisions world champion Morrell does not believe in tackling poor opposition afterwards. He wants to prove his doubters wrong and enable himself to fight for a world title as quickly as possible. Morrell says he will be open to a rematch with benavidez “100%.”
Morrell’s thrust
“I think Morrell gets a test here. This may amount to how well a chin that Khataev has. What I saw from Khataev is that he has a good chin. Did I see him hit by Morrell? No, ‘said Teddy Atlas on his channell. “Morrell is a little better puncher than I saw him. Morrell’s talent is likely to show himself. ‘
Khataev’s opposition as a pro was horrible. Despite his Olympic background, Khataev’s management chose to fit him like a green prospect. What a waste, because Khtaev was 27 when he was pro. It is not young for a person who comes in the professional ranks. He should have been detected quickly over the past four years instead of suiting tomato can over the past four years.
“I think the benavidez fight was a learning experience for David Morrell, who was inexperienced in terms of the overall record and caliber of the competition that David Benavidez offers,” the commentator Chris Mannix said Dazn box About Saturday’s battle between David Morrell and Imam Khaev.
The benavidez fight showed Morrell and his coach that he couldn’t manage to throw single shots at light heavyweight. There are too many fighters focusing on combining the way Benvidez does, and Morrell can’t afford to throw one by one, hoping he can get a knockout. His power is not the same at 175 as at 168.
Morrell’s benavidez -veg lessons
“It wasn’t that Morrell was surpassed in that battle. He was competitive throughout and probably beat by the best man at 175. David benavidez is elite,” Mannix said. “I think he’s going to be a better fighter. Facing the kind of competition can only help you grow as a fighter. ‘
Morrell knows that he can’t act against the ropes and that Khataev can drop him off with his best power stalks like against Benavidez. It was a mistake. We saw Morrell doing this repeatedly against ‘the Mexican monster’.
He allowed benavidez to gain the upper hand by throwing quick combinations and not replying with his own. The occasional big shot in which Morrell threw in between was not enough.
Last updated on 07/10/2025