Morrell Grand Arrival: Khataev Fight Week

David Morrell made his Grand Arrival today in New York for his light heavyweight fight against Imam Khataev this Saturday, July 12th, in Queens. Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs) stated that he’s “more focused” after correcting the mistakes that he made in his last fight and that he plans on using what he learned to defeat Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs).

Morrell’s Grand Arrival Insights

The highly ranked 175-lb contender Morrell said, “I got this,” predicting victory over what some say is the ‘next Beterbiev’ in his 10-round undercard fight against Khataev.

Morrell, 27, showed in training that he’s working on his combination punching, throwing speedy shots, mimicking the style that David Benavidez uses. It’s possible that part of what Morrell learned from his loss to the ‘Mexican Monster’ Benavidez last February was the need for him to focus more on throwing combinations. That’s what was missing from his offense.

“More focused on myself and the training after the experience in my last fight. I’m back,” said David Morrell during today’s Grand Arrivals in New York. “I’ve got everything in my mind. It’s about the preparation for this. No disrespect to my opponent, but I got this,” said Morrell, predicting victory over Imam Khataev on Saturday.

What was clear from watching Morrell’s last performance against Benavidez is that he took too long to switch to a plan B when he fell behind early in the contest. There should have been a switch after the third or fourth round when Morrell had been outworked in those rounds by the volume puncher.

When Morrell finally did go after Benavidez in the 10th, he couldn’t get back in the fight. However, when Morrell showed his power, it had a big effect on Benavidez, who was knocked down and took a lot of punishment in the final nine minutes. He looked beaten up at the end of the 12th round from the harder punches from the younger, stronger Morrell.

Morrell’s Winning Strategy

“I just have to do what I do best. Be myself and get going. That’s always been the key to my success,” said Morrell.

It’ll be risky on Morrell’s part to box Khataev in the fight because he’ll give away too many of the rounds. The judges could form their opinions and not give him credit if he comes on in the second half of the fight like he did against Benavidez.

Khataev’s Vulnerabilities Exposed

What we saw in Khataev’s last bout against Durval Elias Palacio is that he’s vulnerable to pressure, can’t fight at a fast pace, and fades in the second half of his fights. Morrell needs to attack Khataev from the outset and force him into a fast-lace fight to tire him out. Khataev spent a lot of years in the amateur ranks, and he doesn’t have the same gas tank after three rounds as he did before he turned pro. He’s also an old 30 and looks closer to 35.

“Morrell is trying to bounce back from his loss to David Benavidez. He waited too long to get going that night,” said commentator Todd Grisham about Morrell’s loss last February.

Benavidez Fight Lessons Learned

“He had to against Benavidez, but this is a tall, power-punching southpaw who needed to get his confidence. He got his confidence from ‘The Mexican Monster.’ I think we’re going to see a different beast [on Saturday night],” said Sergio Mora about Morrell.

Mora is wrong. Morrell didn’t have to wait until the second half against Benavidez. That’s how he lost by waiting. That’s a foolish statement. What Morrell should have done was use his power game on Benavidez early and throw speedy combinations like he was doing because he wasn’t going to beat him with his one-punch-at-a-time approach.

Morrell’s trainer should have seen that in training camp and focused on teaching him how to throw the same rapid-fire combinations that Benavidez uses as his bread and butter for his offense. Morrell’s hand speed is just as good, if not better, but he failed to train to utilize this approach for that fight.