Smith Vs Morrell Agreed After 136-Day Stall, WBO Confirms

The WBO confirmed today that Callum Smith and David Morrell have reached an agreement for their fight for Callum’s interim light heavyweight title. Their promoters still need to decide when the fight will be held and where.

136 Days of Negotiations

The Smith vs. Morrell fight was ordered on July 21, 2025, and negotiations have dragged on for 136 days until today’s agreement.

For Callum, he can’t afford to drag the fight out against Morrell infinitum because he’s not a spring chicken nearing 36. The longer he delays the fight against the former Cuban amateur star, the worse it is for him. He’s not going to get younger as time passes.

WBO interim 175-lb champion Smith (31-2, 22 KOs) and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, of Matchroom Boxing, have to take a difficult fight against #2-ranked Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) to lock in for a title shot against champion Dmitry Bivol.

Morrell’s Cuban Danger Factor

Some fans believe that Callum Smith and Hearn aren’t eager to face the dangerous young 27-year-old Cuban phenom. The way he defeated the Beterbiev-esque Imam Khataev last July, it has to be scary for Callum. Morrell also gave David Benavidez one of the most physically punishing fights of his career, which is not the ideal match for Callum. The ‘Mexican Monster’ Benavidez’s face looked unrecognizable after fighting Morrell.

Smith went through pure torture in his last fight, defeating Joshua Buatsi by a 12-round unanimous decision in a physically grueling contest earlier this year on February 22nd, 2025. Now, he’s steering his ship into a fight that could be more taxing on his aging 36-esque body, going up against Morrell.

Given what Smith is up against, it’s not surprising that Hearn has dragged his feet at getting this fight made. One hundred thirty-six days to get this fight made with Morrell. What does that tell you about Callum and Hearn?

“WBO confirms agreement: Callum Smith vs. David Morrell for the Interim Light Heavyweight Title. Date, venue, and promoter to be announced soon,” said the WBC on X today.