David Morrell makes one thing clear: “The fight is going to happen 100%”
Despite rumors that David Morrell's fight against Imam Khataev was canceled due to his opponent's doping, he declared that the fight will take place 100%.
The doping suspension of Russian boxer Imam Khataev has cast doubt over his scheduled fight next Saturday in Queens against David Morrell. However, the Cuban fighter insisted that the bout is not in jeopardy.
“The fight is going to happen 100%. There’s a reason he’s here—if not, he wouldn’t be,” Morrell said at the final press conference ahead of the event, which will take place on the undercard of the Edgar Berlanga vs. Hamzah Sheeraz main event in New York.
Khataev, Morrell’s scheduled opponent, was suspended for two years—from June 25, 2025, to June 25, 2027—by the International Testing Agency (ITA) after testing positive for the banned substance clomiphene.
Morrell is still dealing with the aftermath of his recent loss to David Benavídez, a defeat that cost him both his top-tier status in the division and a shot at a title belt, which the Ecuadorian-American fighter retained.
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“Benavídez is coming too?” Morrell asked with surprise. “I didn’t know. But whatever—I don’t even care. Inside the ring, he’s mine. Outside the ring, he’s mine. Same as always.”
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