Boxing
Zak Chelli ‘expects the unexpected’ after overdue clash with David Morrell
Published
3 months agoon
From the outside, Zak Chelli will have a treacherous mountain to climb on Saturday when he faces world-class featherlight heavyweight contender David Morrell.
For starters, his career has been plagued by inactivity over the past 20 months, with Chelli only completing one task – winning the Premier League title – since then losing by unanimous decision to Callum Simpson in August 2024
Secondly, the former British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion hasn’t competed anywhere near the world level at 168lbs, let alone 175lbs, as he looks to create a massive upset against Morrell.
The talented Cuban was scheduled to face Callum Smith last month, but an injury ruled his opponent out of the breathtaking fight.
However, in a bizarre turn of events, Morrell will now collide with Chelli on the undercard of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
Attributing his inactivity to “contract issues” and “other things behind the scenes,” Chelli tells Boxing News he’s constantly hanging around the gym.
All this time he’s been trying to convince his domestic counterparts to roll the dice against him, but now he’ll be taking a massive risk in pursuit of a bigger reward.
“When I say I want massive fights, I mean it. As you can see, I’m fighting David Morrell – I’m trying to prove to them [his domestic counterparts] that I am above their level.
“I’m approaching 10 years as a professional, so I know how the process works, I know the business.
“You have to be patient because you could have that one phone call that will change your life.”
In addition to her professional career, Chelli works for Time Out Boxing, where she teaches basics to children with special educational needs or behavior management issues.
At first, he says, the children take one look at him as an “aggressive guy,” but then they get to know him and begin to “show a lot of respect.”
However, it may be harder for the Londoner to earn Morrell’s respect, even if it is an opportunity he has actively sought.
“As soon as Callum Smith got injured, my dad literally said in every social media post: ‘Come on [Morrell] to my son.”
“Then we got a call from Alfie Warren [of Warren Boxing Management]telling us this fight can happen.”
Knowing the reputation of his next opponent, who lost a decision to David Benavidez in February 2025, Chelli sees no reason to study the 28-year-old.
However, he is acutely aware of his known underdog status, which has given him extra motivation to perform well against Jack Cullen and Anthony Sims Jr in 2020 and 2023, respectively.
“I haven’t seen too many [Morrell]honestly, but I know Benavidez is a good fighter and he managed to fight Benavidez 12 rounds, so I’m not going to underestimate him. But on May 9, I will show people what level I am at and what I can do.
“A lot of people doubted me in a lot of my fights, but I think it motivates me to do better.”
As for the game plan, Chelli had not considered such a thing before facing Morrell, who won a split decision over Olympic bronze medalist Imam Khataev last July.
Instead, he would rather be prepared for all possible scenarios rather than focusing mainly on a specific player’s style, especially considering he only had three to four weeks’ notice.
“I don’t think specific sparring helps because when you’re in the ring with someone, that person is always going to be different from how [you’ve previously seen] their.
“But being a southpaw, I’ve battled a lot of them and I’ve always done well. I always expect the unexpected. Whatever comes my way, I’ll adapt and maneuver around it.”
Regardless of the result, Chelli will still be a must-see for the British 175lb title, which will certainly take the pressure off his fight with Morrell.
That said, he is clearly eager to get his career back on track and secure further opportunities, knowing he will be better equipped to do so with an eye-catching performance in his next match.
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Boxing
KO Artist Who Fought Canelo Aims for Chris Eubank Jr Showdown in Boxing News
Published
4 hours agoon
July 31, 2026
Chris Eubank Jr has not fought since his underwhelming rematch with Conor Benn, but the 36-year-old is now being targeted by a fierce knockout artist, who is willing to travel to London for the opportunity to face him.
Eubank scored an iconic win over Benn last April but when they rematched seven months later, he felt the full effects of a brutal weight cut, narrowly avoiding a stoppage defeat as he survived until the final bell on unsteady legs only to lose a wide unanimous decision.
Since then, the Hove-born contender has been advised to move up in weight and return to the super-middleweight scene, but he has also been linked to a catchweight clash with Michael Zerafa in Australia – a bout which would take place at 164lbs.
New York’s Edgar Berlanga has now thrown his hat into the ring though, after revealing on ‘The Last Stand’ podcast about his intentions to face Eubank before the end of the year.
“I would love to step into the ring to end the year with Chris Eubank Jr. I feel like that fight is going to be a big fight in London.
“I told Keith [Connolly]I said that I would rather not do it out here in America. I would rather go to London, where he is from [U.K.]you know what I am saying? We can make a big, big fight happen. He is on the radar.”
Berlanga’s most high profile fight came back in 2024 when he challenged Canelo Alvarez for his unified super-middleweight crown, suffering a unanimous decision defeat, one of two losses in his career after also coming up short against Hamzah Sheeraz.
He has since signed with Zuffa Boxing and in his debut with the company on Sunday he knocked Steven Butler out after seven rounds, recovering from a second-round knockdown to earn the 19th stoppage victory of his career.
In an interview with The RingBerlanga has now doubled down on his call-out of Eubank, hoping he can convince the Briton to swerve the Zerafa fight in favour of a clash on home soil.
“I’m looking forward to getting a real big fight with Chris Eubank. Let’s do it in London. It’s going to be big.”
Eubank maintains that he is currently a free agentbut it is unclear whether he is still contracted to Boxxer, with promoter Ben Shalom appearing to believe that their deal has not expired.
Boxing
Terence Crawfords Top 5 Fighters of All Time: Three Heavyweight Champions Included
Published
1 day agoon
July 30, 2026
Terence Crawford has cemented himself amongst boxing’s all-time greats with a number of iconic wins and title triumphs. When asked to name his own top five fighters, ‘Bud’ felt three former heavyweight champions have earned their places.
Crawford made history when he dethroned Canelo Alvarez and captured the undisputed super-middleweight world title last September, becoming the first post-war three-weight undisputed titleholder.
Soon after that generational win, the Omaha switch-hitter announced his retirement from the sport, walking away with an astonishing career that consisted of 42 victories and no defeats; considered to be one of the best boxers to have hung up the gloves with an undefeated record.
On The Real Report podcast with Tony Yayo and Uncle MurdaCrawford named only one unbeaten fighter amongst his all-time top five. Instead, the 38-year-old gave props to three former heavyweight world champions: Muhammad Ali, Roy Jones Jr and Joe Louis.
“I got to put [Muhammad] Ali up there. I got to put Sugar Ray Robinson, I got to put Roy Jones Jr. in his prime. I’ve definitely got to put Floyd Mayweather in and I’ll probably put Joe Louis.”
Ali and Louis spent their entire legendary careers competing at heavyweight, while Jones Jr competed in the banner division just once, becoming the first former world middleweight champion to capture world heavyweight gold in over a century.
As for Crawford, despite announcing his decision to retire, he continues to be called out by active fighters, with Ryan Garcia becoming the latest to call for a shot at putting an end to the veteran’s unbeaten streak.
Boxing
James Dean Fury Credits Uncle Peter for Insight Ahead of Professional Boxing Debut
Published
1 day agoon
July 30, 2026
James Dean Fury has always loved boxing, basically since he was born, but it was only when he started training with his uncle, Peter Fury, that he really began to understand the sport.
Given his name, it is hardly surprising that the latest Fury to turn professional has been immersed in boxing for all of his 20 years.
In fact, the super-middleweight prospect tells Boxing News that he struggles to recall a time when he was involved in anything else.
“I’ve been around the sport all my life; was born and bred into it. So my first activity, as a kid, was obviously boxing.
“When I was born, my mum and dad bought me a pair of gloves and a rope – like a little boxing kit for babies – and, when I first walked into the gym, I just fell in love with it. I loved getting punched in the face and punching other people in the face.
“From around seven or eight years old, I knew this was what I wanted to do for a living. I believe God put me on this planet to fight because, when I’m not boxing, there’s nothing else for me to do.”
It is one thing developing a passion for something, like boxing, but learning how to succeed at something is another matter entirely.
Fortunately, James Dean Fury did not have to go searching far and wide for a knowledgeable teacher, yet still he needed to prove worthy of such valuable tutelage.
“When I started training with my uncle Peter at 13 years old, he really opened my eyes and gave me a clear understanding of where I want to go.
“If I sat here and told you everything I’ve learned off my uncle Peter, we’d be here till Christmas.
“But when I was about 14 years old, he tested me. He put me in a trailer [caravan]just to see if I was really dedicated. Then he took me on full-time.”
As a three-time national amateur champion and 2025 Box Cup winner, it is fair to say that James Dean Fury has proved a receptive student.
But now, the young Fury must go one step further and establish himself in the pro ranks, starting with his Boxxer debut on August 8.
Having inked a deal with Ben Shalom’s promotional outfithe will feature on the undercard of Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2, hoping to show fans that he possesses the indigents to win a world title.
“I’ve always been competitive – whether I’m running a race, at a school sports day or playing a board game … I want to win.
“And when it comes to fighting – something I’ve put my whole life into – please, believe me, I will win. I’ve sacrificed everything for this.”
With such competitive spirit, even the attention that comes with his family name does not seem to faze the cousin of a two-time heavyweight champion.
“Whoever you jump in the ring with, they’re going to try and take your head off. No one’s in there to have a dance with me, especially when they hear my name. We’re in the hurt game.”
It might be a cliché, but James Dean clearly does have boxing in his DNA, along with a fierce desire to reach the pinnacle of his sport.
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