Boxing
The Man Who Beat David Morrell: Who Is Zak Chelli?
Published
5 months agoon
London-based Zak Chelli made his boxing debut at the age of 19, defeating Jacob Lucas by technical decision. Chelli won his next six fights.
On September 14, 2019, Zak Chelli suffered his first professional defeat, losing by unanimous decision to Kody Davies. Eleven months later, Chelli returned to the ring and won a split decision against Jack Cullen.
Chelli continued his streak of four straight wins. Chelli fought five times in a row and succeeded, defeating Germaine Brown to win the English super middleweight title.
Chelli had one successful title defense before losing the belt to Mark Jeffers. Five months later, in a rematch with Jack Cullen in January 2024, Chelli overtook Cullen to win the British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles.
Recently, the long-awaited April 2026 fight between highly rated David Morrell and interim WBO lithe heavyweight champion Callum Smith was scheduled to take place in Liverpool. Unfortunately, Smith withdrew due to a training injury.
However, David Morrell has been given another chance to make his boxing debut in the UK. On May 9, 2026, David Morrell traveled to Manchester, England to face Zak Chelli.
Boxing is a sport based on levels and during the first half of the fight, David Morrell showed that he is one level above Zak Chelli. In the second half of the fight, Chelli had his moments, but Morrell was in complete control.
The turning point in the fight came 20 seconds into the ninth round when Chelli landed a demanding right hand that stunned Morrell. For the next nineteen seconds, Chelli hit Morrell with a steady series of punches.
At 2:26 of the 10th round, Chelli hurt Morrell again with a demanding shot with his left hand. In the last 40 seconds of round 10, Chelli landed a six-punch combination that forced the referee to step in and stop the fight.
David Morrell (12-2, 9 KO) lost the first fight in his career in February 2025 to Pound for Pound star David Benavidez. On Saturday evening, May 9, Morrell lost his second fight to Zak Chelli, a substitute teacher specializing in math and science.
Zak Chelli (17-3-1, 9 KO) earned the luxury of making his dream come true by defeating the former two-division champion. At an all-time high in confidence, Chelli summoned the man at the top of the food chain.
– Morrell did pretty well against Benavidez, didn’t he? – Chelli said. “And I did better, so why not? I can definitely become world champion.”
Zak Chelli just recorded the biggest win of his professional career and is ready to move on to the next step. Chelli probably won’t get the Benavidez fight, but at least the educator could employ the opportunity to teach David Morrell a valuable lesson.
Sports and entertainment writer. She was born and raised in Modern Orleans. He attended college at PURDUE UNIVERSITY
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Boxing
Derek Chisora Slams Dana White Regarding Fighter Treatment Issues
Published
10 hours agoon
September 30, 2026
Derek Chisora accused Dana White of operating like a “slave owner,” but Conor Benn’s lucrative move to Zuffa Boxing offers a substantial counterpoint to the heavyweight’s attack.
Chisora’s complaint centered on White turning fighters away from his platform. That hardly explains the comparison, especially with Benn reportedly collecting $15 million for his first Zuffa appearance alone.
“Dana White is not my cup of tea, to be honest with you,” Chisora said in an interview with Fight Hub TV following the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua press conference. “Because the way he operates is just, he operates like a slave owner, man. You know, fighters want to fight on his platform. He tells them, ‘You’re not good enough for me, so go away.’ What is a fighter going to do? What is he going to do after that? That’s not right.”
Benn’s experience makes that accusation difficult to defend. His reported $15 million purse for facing Regis Prograis was followed by a world-title opportunity against Ryan Garcia. White’s platform has delivered both substantial money and a major fight for the British welterweight.
One boxer’s earnings cannot answer every question about a promoter’s treatment of fighters. But Chisora supplied no named example to support his accusation. Benn gives readers something concrete to weigh against it.
Chisora also argued that a fighter who performs poorly one night can improve the next time. Fair enough. Promoters still have to decide whom to sign, how many places they can offer, and which fights they want to stage. Wanting a contract does not create an entitlement to one.
His example concerns access to White’s platform, rather than restrictions imposed on someone already fighting there. Those are different issues, and Chisora never explained how rejection justified his language.
Asked about the dispute between Eddie Hearn and White, Chisora made his personal dislike clear. What he failed to provide was an argument strong enough to carry such a loaded accusation.

About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
Boxing
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Live London Press Conference Showdown
Published
19 hours agoon
September 30, 2026
The long-awaited, all-British heavyweight blockbuster between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is officially set for December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Backed by Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, the defining clash will see both men pocket a career-high purse and settle the debate – to a degree – of this generation’s best UK heavyweight.
After more than a decade of false starts and fractured negotiations, the two former heavyweight champions will finally settle their rivalry in what promises to be the biggest commercial event in British boxing history. Broadcast rights have been secured by Netflix for a global audience and Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao may appear on the undercard, despite turning 49 one week after the event.
Crucially, Joshua’s camp held firm during negotiations to ensure the bout remained on domestic soil. Despite the potential for more lucrative offers overseas, ‘AJ’ refused to budge on the location, and the pair meet today in London to make it official.
Fans can watch live via the stream below, with the proceedings expected to kick off at 6 PM – though delays and gamesmanship may be a factor.
Boxing
Filip Hrgovic Criticizes WBA for Allowing Fury vs. Joshua Title Fight
Published
22 hours agoon
September 30, 2026
Filip Hrgovic questions how Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have earned a fight for the WBA “Super” heavyweight title, arguing that attaching the belt to their matchup damages boxing’s credibility.
The fight already has two recognizable names and a rivalry that can sell without a championship. Adding a world title invites a different question: what have either man’s recent performances done to justify that reward?
“They are both big superstars, but how are they fighting for a title?” Hrgovic told The Stomping Ground when asked about the proposed WBA title stakes. “Where did that come from? … These kinds of decisions, it’s killing the sport. It’s not good for the sport. And because of these funny decisions, people don’t consider boxing a serious sport.”
Fury and Joshua already have the recognition to sell their fight. Their rivalry is the attraction. Adding the WBA’s highest heavyweight title gives the event a sporting endorsement that requires more explanation than either man’s name can provide.
Gassiev’s position makes that harder to justify. With him holding the regular championship, the proposed title stakes would allow Fury and Joshua to fight for superior recognition within the same organization without going through its existing titleholder. What, then, is Gassiev’s belt supposed to mean?
That is the weakness of the WBA’s multiple-title structure. A fighter can hold its championship and still watch a more commercially attractive pairing receive the bigger prize. The distinction becomes difficult to defend if the organization cannot explain the sporting criteria behind it.
There is also a financial question worth asking. Sanctioning a major event can benefit the organization collecting the fees. That makes a clear explanation of eligibility especially necessary: what qualifies Fury and Joshua for this opportunity, and how does Gassiev fit into the decision?
Hrgovic has his own interests. He wants recognition as the division’s best champion and would benefit from undermining rival claims. But his objection still demands an answer.
Fans can enjoy Fury-Joshua as a major occasion without treating it as the fight that establishes heavyweight supremacy. The WBA risks blurring that distinction by attaching its highest title to a matchup whose appeal is already secure.
The rivalry gives the promotion something valuable to sell. The championship should represent something the fighters have earned.

About the author
Boxing 24/7 Wire
Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.
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