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Zak Chelli ‘expects the unexpected’ after overdue clash with David Morrell

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1 month ago

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Zak Chelli ‘expects the unexpected’ in late-notice David Morrell clash

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

Roy Jones ranks one world champion above all other opponents he faced: ‘He could have knocked you out at any moment’

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2 hours ago

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June 19, 2026

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Roy Jones ranks one world champion above all other opponents he faced: “He could KO you at any time”

Roy Jones Jr has revealed which of his previous opponents he considers the best of all.

Jones competed 76 times during his illustrious professional careerwhich started in 1989 and lasted until 2023.

His peak is believed to be in the 1990s and early 21st century, when Jones became a four-division world champion in middleweight, super middleweight, delicate heavyweight and even heavyweight.

In total, Jones has shared the ring with nearly 20 current, former and future world champions, but one man stood out when asked who was the best fighter he had ever faced.

In an interview with The Ring, he awarded this honor to three-weight world champion James Toney.

“James Toney probably had the best defense of anyone. You couldn’t hit him squarely; he was so elusive. His hip movement and shoulder roll made it very arduous to get a neat shot.”

He had all the tools, he was strenuous to hit, he could knock you out at any moment. He would be right in your face and you still couldn’t hit him.

Jones moved up to 168 pounds when he faced Toney in November 1994, stating that the unanimous decision won him the IBF super middleweight title and handed “Lights Out” the first defeat of his professional career.

Toney also reigned at middleweight and cruiserweight and became the WBA heavyweight champion after a victory over John Ruiz in 2005, but after he failed a drug test the result was changed to non-competitive.

Ultimately, Toney finished with 77 wins in 92 professional fights, with his last fight returning in May 2017 when he earned a stoppage victory over Mike Sheppard.

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Boxing

Promoter demands $4.65 million refund from Floyd Mayweather for scrapped Tyson and Pacquiao exhibitions

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4 hours ago

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June 18, 2026

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Image: Promoter Demands $4.65M Refund From Floyd Mayweather For Scrapped Tyson And Pacquiao Exhibitions

Floyd Mayweather is facing a up-to-date legal challenge after promoter CSI Entertainment filed a lawsuit seeking repayment of a $4.65 million advance allegedly paid to the boxing legend for two fights that never materialized.

On Thursday, TMZ Sports reported that CSI Entertainment filed a lawsuit in Fresh York claiming it paid millions of dollars for exclusive rights to exhibition fights featuring Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao.


CSI says it paid a $4.5 million advance to Mayweather’s management company, Frist Apex Ventures, for the proposed events. The company says the contracts gave it exclusive rights to promote the fights and says Mayweather personally approved them.

Records show that CSI later discovered Mayweather’s plans to work with other promotional partners on separate events involving Mike Zambidis and Pacquiao, despite the company’s claims to exclusive rights. The lawsuit seeks an injunction barring Mayweather from participating in his exhibition against Zambidis on June 27 in Athens, Greece, until the dispute is resolved.

According to the complaint, Mayweather was set to earn $14 million for Tyson’s proposed exhibition, of which $2 million had already been paid up front. CSI also claims that Mayweather was guaranteed $35 million plus 20 percent of pay-per-view revenues for his rematch with Pacquiao, or $50 million if the fight was held outside the pay-per-view model.

The lawsuit also alleges that Mayweather later entered into a separate agreement to fight Pacquiao, which was to be streamed on Netflix. CSI claims that the agreement provided for an additional advance payment and violated the provisions of the exclusivity agreement.

The lawsuit comes as Mayweather pursues separate legal proceedings against Frist Apex Ventures and his former manager. In the case, Mayweather is seeking $175 million in damages and maintains that he was defrauded by those involved in his business affairs.

Neither Mayweather nor representatives of his management company have publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.

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Last updated: 18/06/2026 at 22:02

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Boxing

Floyd Mayweather considers theft headlines ‘free promotion’

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4 hours ago

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June 18, 2026

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Floyd Mayweather wearing a TMT cap and glasses during a media event

Most people who make headlines about theft would probably prefer the attention to disappear. Looks like Floyd Mayweather wants more of it.

Days after criminal charges in Nevada brought renewed scrutiny to the undefeated boxing legend, Mayweather responded with a lengthy message in which he expressed satisfaction with the coverage and dismissed the criticism as merely free advertising.

Instead of expressing concern about the allegations, Mayweather argued that negative stories only enhance his image and create more opportunities.

“Free Promotion”

Mayweather addressed the growing interest in the case via social media.

“Lies and negative news always travel faster than the truth. That’s how it works. Unhappy people love bad news.

“I love stories that they say can destroy the strongest being on earth, the BLACK man.

“At the end of the day, my name remaining in the media is still my name remaining in the media. Attention is attention.

“People are still talking, people are still watching, and that attention is still generating opportunities.

“I am focusing on what I have always focused on: family, generational wealth and staying away from other people’s affairs that are not mine.

“So please keep posting. More blogs, more lies… Free promotion and I’ll happily take every line!”

The news was Mayweather’s first direct reaction since headlines about the case began dominating boxing news.

Greece is waiting

Mayweather is expected to travel to Greece in the coming days ahead of his June 27 exhibition fight against Mike Zambidis in Athens.

Mayweather’s problem is that history won’t go away.

Another wave of questions awaits when Mayweather lands and starts making public appearances during fight week.

Reporters will want answers. Cameras will track your every move. Every interview will eventually come back to the allegations.

Instead of talking about Zambidis, Greece or even the possibility of a rematch with Manny Pacquiao later this year, the conversation now focuses on the theft charges, the disputed purchase of a $200,000 watch and the possibility of grave legal consequences should the case move forward.

A week of shadow over the fight

Mayweather clearly opposes the media reports and seems determined not to retreat from the spotlight.

Whether this approach will work is another matter.

The entire fight week, weigh-ins and fight night may now be dominated by the issue hanging over the former five-division world champion.

Any microphone placed in front of him runs the risk of reducing the discussion to the same topic.

For now, Mayweather seems comfortable with this reality.

His message to critics, bloggers and anyone speaking out about the allegations remains elementary.

“Keep posting.”

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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