David Morrell will return from his recent defeat by adopting Imam Khataev in a collision between two knockout artists in a ten round between light heavyweight contenders on July 12 on July Dazn ppv In Queens, New York.
Why Morrell Needs This Win
This is a fight that Morrell needs to win for him to get a chance to win a world title. If he loses against Khataev, he may have to return to 168.
Morrell, 27, has to regain his momentum after losing against David Banavidez by a competitive 12-round decision on February 1st. It was one that Morrell could have won, but he waited too long to attack benavidez to the later rounds.
By then, he was too far behind to make up the lost ground. When Morrell did show, it was that he could injure “the Mexican monster”. He rearranged benavidez’s face and made it look like a Halloween mask.
Khataev’s pressure: a great threat
Morrell will have to fight much better against Imam Khataev, because he is a stronger puncher than benavidez, applies the same amount of pressure and throws non-top power punch. If Morrell stands in front of Khataev, he will be knocked out.
Morrell (11-1, 9 costs) brings his 82% co-ratio to the ring against Olympic bronze medalist Khataev 2020 on the Edgar Berlanga against Hamzah Sheeraz.
Some fans believe Morrell-Khataev is a struggle that promises more action than the Berlanga-Heeraz head event, as these two are more like beginners than contenders. None of them had excellent amateur careers such as Morrell and Khataev.
This battle is better on paper than the main event, and especially the main support between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda. This is a good fight, but it is expected to be more a ‘Tom and Jerry’ type case. Turki Alalshikh may regret using Shakur for this opportunity. Morrell-Khataev are two knockout artists who will struggle and throw the whole fight bombs. There will be no running.
Khataev: The next Artur Betterbiev?
Khataev is already seen as the Next Artur BetterbievGiven his punch power, within power and uninterrupted punch. He knocked out 90% of his opponents and looked better Biev-Esque with the relentless pressure he put on his opponents. The Khataev manager considers the 18-foot ring for the struggle to help him because he is a ‘pressure man’.
This is the first step for four -year -old Australian Khataev as a pro, and it will be interesting to see what he can do against the former two divisions world champion Morrell.
The last talented opponent Khataev fought was the two -time Cuban Olympic gold medal Arlen Lopez in 2023, which he defeated through a three-round majority decision. That victory showed the ability of Khataev, because it is a man who had extraordinary credentials at the amateur level.
Last updated on 06/16/2025
