David Morrell has disappeared from the boxing conversation since Zak Chelli stopped him in the 10th round on May 9. Once presented as a future star at super middleweight, the Cuban now sits at 12-2 with no confirmed return date and serious questions about his future at 175 pounds.
Chelli accepted the fight on two weeks’ notice and was trailing before hurting Morrell in the ninth and finishing him with 36 seconds left in the final round. It was not merely a shocking defeat. It exposed a technical weakness that had followed Morrell throughout his professional career.
When pressured, Morrell retreats in straight lines until his heels reach
