David Morrell of Cuba won the WBA 175 Lbs world title, defeating Radivoje Kalajdzic of Serbia last Saturday, August 3, winning a twelve-round unanimous decision at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The scores were 117-111, 117-111, and 118-110.
The fight was the 26-year-old Morrell's first at 175, following David Benavidez's move up from 168. There were high expectations for Cuban Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) who will fight last Saturday against Kalajdzic. (29-3, 21 KOs). Physically, Morrell looked good, but his performance did not stand out when he campaigned at 168.
Mental Barrier
Despite his youth and strength, Morrell didn't show the aggression we used to see when fighting in the Super Middleweight division. We were hoping to see Morrell have little trouble settling down at this weight class. But indifference took the fight, as Morrell did not want to risk it, preferring to keep his distance and throw a very small shot.
Morrell had a chance to shine in the main event of the Riyadh Season and show boxing fans that he can get good results at 175 lbs, but he didn't even try. His corner, Ronnie Shields, tried to encourage him to fight harder, but to no avail. Morrell is determined to win comfortably in the next round.
During the few rounds where Morrell was encouraged to throw punches and be aggressive, we felt like he could have won that fight with a lot of determination. Unfortunately, that happened very few times and for very short periods of time. Then, Morrell would go or decide not to come out to check on Kalajdzic, and the minutes passed, and the end of the fight came without him finishing his opponent.
Building a Champion Mindset
If Morrell doesn't understand that fans attend these events to see big fights, someone needs to talk to him and make him understand the importance of winning the public's appreciation by giving his best in every fight. The sympathy of the common fan is very important in creating stars. A die-hard fan knows more and evaluates fights with different eyes than the general boxing community.
To give Morrell the benefit of the doubt, we want to believe that the change in weight would have affected his performance. Maybe he should settle down a little more in the 175-lb weight class. In this category, there are big and strong boys. Maybe that was the difference, but he needs to try to adapt and do it quickly.
The interest in seeing big fights is made based on actions that convince the fans. When you win by giving your best, you raise the adrenaline of the TV broadcast audience and those who attend events with thrilling battles and spectacular victories. The job is done.
You are as beautiful as you looked in your last battle. Most fans are of the casual variety, and have short memories. Their lack of knowledge about weight classes is reflected in their desire to see two men jump into the ring with the desire to defeat each other and end fights with a knockout. That is what they want, and that is what you must give them, or you will be punished and vilified.
We want to believe Morrell is more at this weight class than we saw from David Benavidez in his most recent start at 175 last June against Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
Unfortunately, Morrell's skills showed up in the passing moments against the 33-year-old Kalajdzic, a fighter who was destroyed in five rounds by IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in May 2019.
Morrell must believe in himself if he is going to advance in the light heavyweight division. While Morrell's skills are impressive, if he isn't motivated to use them and give his best, his chances of achieving a major victory at this weight class are slim.
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