Teddy Atlas predicts that Imam Khataev will give David Morrell a “test” on Saturday night of their 10-round light heavyweight fight on July twelfth on the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, Recent York. Atlas watched a few of the 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Khataev’s fights, and he notes that he has a superb chin. He may give you the chance to take Morrell’s power.
Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) is stepping back in with world-class competition after his loss to David Benavidez last February. The previous two-division world champion Morrell doesn’t consider in taking over weak opposition after that. He desires to prove his doubters incorrect and put himself ready to fight for a world title as fast as possible. Morrell says he’d be open to a rematch with Benavidez “100%.”
Morrell’s Punching Power
“I feel Morrell gets a test here. It would come right down to how good of a chin Khataev has. What I’ve seen of Khataev is that he has a superb chin. Have I seen him hit by Morrell? No,” said Teddy Atlas on his channel. “Morrell is slightly higher puncher than what I’ve seen him hit with. Morrell’s talent will probably show itself.”
Khataev’s opposition as a professional has been awful. Despite his Olympic background, Khataev’s management has chosen to match him like a green prospect. What a waste, as Khtaev was 27 when he turned pro. That’s not young for an individual coming into the skilled ranks. He must have been fast-tracked as an alternative of matched against tomato cans for the last 4 years.
“I feel the Benavidez fight was a learning experience for David Morrell, who was inexperienced when it comes to overall record and caliber of competition that David Benavidez provides,” said commentator Chris Mannix to DAZN Boxing about Saturday’s fight between David Morrell and Imam Khaev.
The Benavidez fight showed Morrell and his trainer that he can’t get by with throwing single shots at light heavyweight. There are too many fighters that concentrate on combination punching the way in which Benvidez does, and Morrell can’t afford to throw separately, hoping he can rating a knockout. His power isn’t the identical at 175 because it was at 168.
Morrell’s Benavidez Fight Lessons
“It wasn’t that Morrell was outclassed in that fight. He was competitive throughout and got beat arguably by the most effective man at 175. David Benavidez is elite,” said Mannix. “I feel he’s going to be a greater fighter in consequence. If you face that style of competition, it will possibly only provide help to grow as a fighter.”
Morrell knows he can’t shell up against the ropes and permit Khataev to unload on him along with his best power punches like he did against Benavidez. That was a mistake. We saw Morrell do this repeatedly against ‘The Mexican Monster.’
He allowed Benavidez to get the upper hand by throwing speedy mixtures and never answering back along with his own. The occasional big shot that Morrell threw in between wasn’t enough.
Last Updated on 07/10/2025