Asked about Smith’s recovery, Hearn said the setback requires patience.
“It’s not an injury that you would be able to just fight again in three or 4 weeks,” Hearn said. “It’s an injury that may take probably six weeks minimum till you’ll be able to start training again properly. So with that in mind, you’re really talking about August, September realistically.”
Hearn also stressed how inactive Smith has already been.
“Don’t forget he hasn’t boxed since February 2025, when he boxed Joshua Buatsi. So, it’s a nightmare for him,” Hearn said.
The wait for David Morrell has officially crossed the road from a regular delay right into a full-blown profession stall. When the WBO ordered this back in July 2025, it felt like the proper bridge to get the winner in front of the Bivol-Beterbiev victor.
By the point they really touch gloves in August 2026, we’re 13 months of inactivity for a 28-year-old who needs to be in his highest gear.
Morrell is coming off a razor-thin split decision win over Imam Khataev last July. That’s the type of performance a fighter often desires to follow up on quickly to prove it was just an off night. As a substitute, he’s effectively been frozen for a 12 months.
While Morrell is 28, Callum Smith can be 36. A 13-month layoff for a prospect is frustrating, but an 18-month layoff for a 36-year-old veteran is usually a career-ender. Smith is essentially fighting time as much as he’s fighting Morrell.
It took 136 days just to succeed in a basic agreement before the April date was even set. Adding the injury delay on top of that makes this one of the vital drawn-out interim title sagas in recent light heavyweight history.
Matchroom still desires to reschedule the competition, but no date has been confirmed.
The WBO has been uncharacteristically firm here. By giving Smith a 10-day deadline for a medical report and citing the 180-day rule from the Bivol-Eifert bout (scheduled for May 30, 2026), they’re essentially saying that if August doesn’t occur, the belt is gone.
WBO notice: “Mr. Smith is afforded 180 days from the Bivol-Eifert bout to satisfy his mandatory obligation… Failure to comply will end in the title being declared vacant.”
If Morrell stays on the sidelines until August, he risks entering the most important fight of his life with significant ring rust. Nevertheless, if he takes a stay-busy fight in June, he risks a cut or an upset that might cost him the Smith payday and the mandatory status. It’s a “damned when you do, damned when you don’t” scenario that typically advantages the promoter greater than the fighter.