Morrell’s Path to Victory: Outworking Imam Khataev, avoiding past mistakes against Benavidez

David Morrell has to fight at a faster rate and punch more punches to defeat the 2020 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Imam Khataev, in his 10th -round light fight on July 12 in Queens, New York.

The world-class two divisions, Morrell (10-1, 9 kos), lost his last struggle against David Benavidez when he was opened by him. Although Morrell has the best power, he did not coincide with the high departure of the “Mexican monster” Benavidez and ended up losing a unanimous decision of 12 rounds.

Morrell Punch Volume Strategy

In the back, Morrell should have trained to punch the volume remotely at a distance, because he was landing large shots on him. What was missing was the consistent exit. You could see the damage that Morrell made on Benavidez’s face, which looked like the Frankenstein monster in appearance at the end.

Against Khataev, considered as the next Artur Beeterbiev, Morrell must let his hands go and focus on disbursement. Putting a fast pace is the key to victory against Khataev.

Morrell, 27, could lose this struggle if he tries the Khataev box. The judges will be impressed with the heavy and attractive shootings of Russian Khataev, who hits strongly with each shot. It will be a mistake that David becomes damaged and moves against him all night. Morrell does not move well enough to escape the pressure of a fighter like Khataev.

It is difficult to evaluate the good that Khataev is because the opposition he has faced since he became a professional in 2021 has been of a lower level. Power, Khataev, 30, looks at the level of Artur Beeterbiev, but does not have the gas tank.

Despite Khataev’s Olympic credentials, its promoters have chosen to combine it against minor fighters. Now, he is about to take a great step in class, fighting Morrell, and could be a shock, affected by this type of fighter.

Imam Khataev resistance problems

Khataev (10-0, 9 kos) is the largest puncher that Morrell will have fought during his six-year professional, but he has shown that he has serious resistance problems.

In Khataev’s latest fight against Durval Elias Palacio, he went out in the rounds of the championship and appeared near to be stopped in the ninth round. Morrell is on another level that Palacio and Khataev troubled at the middle of the struggle if the gas deposit is empty against him.

Dazn PPV Fight card

Edgar Blangka vs Hamzah Sheeraz
Shakur Stevenson vs William Zepeda
Alberto Puello vs Subriel Matias
David Morrell vs Imam Khataev
Reit Tsutsumi vs Erik Hanley