David Morrell (10-0, 9 KOs) will be fighting Radivoje Kalajdzic (29-2, 21 KOs) in a 12-round match for the vacant WBA ‘regular’ light-heavyweight title on August 3rd at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
A Necessary Move
Morrell, 26, will be giving up his WBA ‘regular’ super middleweight title if successful against Kalajdzic. He feels he has no other choice but to do that after being boxed out of getting the fights he wanted against Canelo Alvarez, David Benavidez, Edger Berlanga, and Caleb Plant.
With none of those guys showing interest in fighting the talented Cuban, Morrell, he’s going up to 175, where he hopes he’ll have more opportunities. The champions, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are a lot more fearless and would be willing to fight Morrell.
However, if Benavidez gets his hands on the belts, Morrell could be right back where he started from, locked and unable to fight for them. The title that Morrell is fighting Kalajdzic for, the WBA ‘regular’ 175-lb belt, is a secondary strap, and the main one is held by Bivol.
Commentators Weigh In
“One of the best prospects, David Morrell, is now moving up to 175. For the last year, we’ve seen David Benavidez chasing Canelo Alvarez. At the same time, David Morrell has been chasing Benavidez trying to get that fight,” said Chris Mannix to DAZN Boxing. “That is one very good fighter.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence to see David Morrell move up to 175,” said Shawn Porter. “He understands that Canelo is handling business at 168. ‘Canelo isn’t going to give me a fight at 168. I might as well move up to 175.'”
Moving up to 175 should give Morrell more opportunities, as long as Benavidez doesn’t get his hands on the titles. His Excellency will make sure that the fights that Morrell couldn’t get at 168 will be available to him, so that’s a big positive. Staying sst 168 would be a cancer for Morrell with all the fearful fighters afraid to fight him.
“He’s moving up with great company. We’ve got Beterbiev getting in the ring with Bivol soon, of course. David Benavidez making his first attempt at 175. It should be a successful attempt, and then Morrell following him. The chase down, but you got to admire that and that’s why we like boxing. Chase him, go get him. You’re trying to do that right now with Canelo,” said Porter about Edgar Berlanga.
Berlanga’s Dismissive Stance
“David Morrell was talking s*** after my last fight [against Padraig McCrory], so I don’t f*** with him,” said Edgar Berlanga. “He can fight, but it’s more than just fighting in the gym,” said Berlanga on why he won’t fight Morrell, even though he’s the mandatory for Morrell’s WBA super middleweight title.
Berlanga is an example of the fighters who wanted to be more part of fighting Morrell. Hopefully, he doesn’t move up to 175 and be part of the environment at light heavyweight. The fighters at 175 should be ones that aren’t risk-aversive if the sport is going to thrive in this weight class.
“It’s more than just being a good fighter. You can come into the pro game and be a three-time gold medalist and all this crazy amateur background, but if you can’t sell a ticket, if you can’t bring that crowd with you if you can’t sell out a stadium if you can’t sell out an arena if you can’t go back home and sell out, it’s nothing,” said Berlanga.
“The big fighters that are making the bag [translation: money], they’re not going to focus on you. It’s sad to say, but obviously, besides legacy, it’s about money in this sport, about who can make the bag and who can bring the bag and bring the money,” said Berlanga about why he won’t fight Morrell and why he’s targeting Canelo Alvarez instead.