At the time, the fight never moved forward, and Morrell now says avoiding that matchup was probably the smart move for Whittaker’s team.
“Strategically avoiding him at the moment for April 18th was probably the right choice for him,” Morrell’s team said during an interview with Ring Magazine.
The Cuba-born Morrell made it clear he believes Whittaker is capable of taking a bigger step up already.
“I think so, yeah, it’s a little bit too slow,” said Morrell when asked if Whittaker is being moved carefully. “He has the ability to fight higher quality opponents.”
Whittaker remains one of the most talked-about young fighters in British boxing because of his style, personality, and amateur background, but criticism about the level of opposition he has faced has continued to follow him.
Morrell did not dismiss Whittaker’s talent and appeared to understand why his team chose not to risk a late change of opponent against a dangerous puncher with elite amateur experience.
The comments still add pressure to the conversation around Whittaker’s matchmaking, especially with Morrell openly saying he would like to see him tested against stronger opposition.
Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) returns Saturday night in England against Zach Chelli (16-3-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round light heavyweight contest at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester after his planned fight with Callum Smith fell through. Saturday’s event will be streamed live on DAZN PPV.
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