Boxing
Callum Smith is out of fight with David Morrell, fans react on the Internet
Matchroom Boxing confirmed the change by removing Smith from their interim WBO lightweight heavyweight title fight at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena. The card will continue with Ben Whittaker now headlining against Brian Nahuel Suarez, with the event still scheduled to air on DAZN.
The withdrawal also leaves David Morrell without a fight after a long wait to secure a fight.
The fight was ordered by the WBO and it took 136 days to reach an agreement on the basic contract, followed by further delays before a date was set. Smith’s departure on April 6 extends the time Morrell has spent inactive in the build-up to the fight.
For a veteran like Smith, who is likely looking for one last huge payday or a path back to the 175-pound belt, Morrell is a nightmare assignment.
Time is what really hurts. Waiting 136 days to sign and complete the fight twelve days before the opening bell is a huge blow to a juvenile fighter’s momentum. Morrell has been stuck in the waiting room for months, and in boxing, inactivity can be as damaging as losing the career of a rising star.
At this point in his career, Morrell needs innings and exposure. Being on the sidelines while the WBO sorts out a timeline for Smith’s recovery is keeping him in limbo.
At 35, Smith’s body may simply be reaching its breaking point, but fans rarely show him this much sympathy. It’s strenuous to resist the “he didn’t want it” narrative when negotiations were already very ponderous.
The online reaction was immediate and largely negative. Some questioned the decision to proceed with the revised main event, while others turned their attention to Smith.
“Just cancel the show,” one fan wrote. “Callum Smith is protected again.”
Another wrote: “You can’t do this as a main character,” referring to the replacement main event featuring Whittaker. Some reactions went further, with one fan writing that Smith, 35, “should retire already.”
There was also some frustration with the overall card following the change. “Now this is a delicate main event with a terrible card,” one comment read, while another added: “Who in their right mind would want to see this fight.”
Not all responses were critical. Some pointed to the loss in the original fight, with one fan writing: “Shame, that would have been a good fight.”
The event remains relevant, but the reaction reflects a change in the way we view the April 18 card.
Morrell is now at the mercy of the medical report. If Smith is sidelined for an extended period of time, the WBO has an obligation to continue the fight. You can’t hold a mandatory or fleeting hostage indefinitely, especially if the challenger has already been as patient as Morrell.
It’s also a huge disappointment for Liverpool fans. Ben Whittaker is brilliant and fun to watch, but he’s in the “perspective” phase. Moving it to the main event will not replace the world-class tactical battles that people pay to see.
Richard Torrez Jr. says Frank Sanchez remains a hazardous opponent ahead of their IBF heavyweight eliminator on May 23 in Egypt, but believes the pressure and pace could ultimately break Sanchez.
Torrez discussed Sanchez during an interview this week ahead of their fight at the Glory at Giza event near the Giza Pyramids.
“You know, I think Frank, being of Cuban descent, has that Cuban style. He can box and box when he needs to,” Torrez Jr. said. in the podcast Mr. Verzace in Ring Magazine.
“I think he has a very mighty backhand. I think he knows how to kind of put you to sleep in the moment where he can hit the shot he wants.”
“And he’s really good at dictating the pace.
“But I think he lacks pace. If you’re able to take control of it and put pressure on him and impose your will on him, I think that’s where things start to fundamentally break down in the game plan.”
“I think we saw that with Kabayel and I think that’s something I’ll kind of emulate and what I’m already doing in my fights.”
Sanchez comes into the fight after suffering the first loss of his career to Agit Kabayel last year. Their fight ended after Sanchez suffered leg problems during the fight.
Torrez also addressed Sanchez’s recent knee problem, which caused the qualifiers to be postponed earlier this year.
“But Frank, I’m going out there preparing for the best. I’m going out there preparing for Frank, who has two great knees.
“That’s the Frank I hope to see because I want to fight the best. I don’t want to fight someone who is at 60%.
Undefeated Torrez will enter the fight with a record of 13-0 and 11 knockouts. Sanchez with a 25-1 record and 18 knockouts heading into the heavyweight eliminator.
Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter
Related boxing news:
Last updated: 15/05/2026 at 2:03
Boxing
The WBA made a last-minute decision on Usyk’s world title just days before his fight with Rico Verhoeven
Richard Torrez Jr. explains how to defeat Sanchez
Comparison of Tyson Fury’s net worth with Anthony Joshua’s net worth as much richer
The WBA made a last-minute decision on Usyk’s world title just days before his fight with Rico Verhoeven
Pacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
Dmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
Stephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
Daniel Dubois FATHER Stan Dubois CALLS OUT MOSES ITAUMA after CRAZY Wardley TKO
“IF I BEAT HRGOVIC.. I’LL BE BOXING DANIEL DUBOIS!” Dave Allen In Confident Mood Ahead Of Giant Task
Claressa Shields REACTS to Shadasia Green TAKEN OUT ON STRETCHER after Lani Daniels STOPPED Her
-
Opinions & Features1 year agoPacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
-
MMA1 year agoDmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
-
Results1 year agoStephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
-
Results1 year agoKeyshawn Davis Ko’s Berinchyk, when Xander Zayas moves to 21-0
-
Video1 year agoFrank Warren on Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin – ‘I THOUGHT OTTO WOULD GIVE DEREK PROBLEMS!’
-
Analysis1 year agoRobert Garcia discusses the debate on the greatest Mexican warrior in history
-
Video1 year ago‘DEREK CHISORA RETIRE TONIGHT!’ – Anthony Yarde PLEADS for retirement after WALLIN
-
Results1 year agoLive: Catterall vs Barboza results and results card