The World Boxing Organization has formally ordered a purse bid for the interim light heavyweight fight between Callum Smith and David Morrell, setting the auction for February 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. AST in San Juan. The move follows another breakdown in negotiations and effectively removes control from both camps after months of drift.
The fight was first ordered in July 2025 after Morrell’s win over Imam Khataev elevated him to mandatory status. A December purse bid was scheduled, then abruptly canceled when the sides reported a private agreement. That agreement never materialized into a signed deal. With months passing and no date in place, Morrell’s team formally requested the WBO intervene again, forcing the bout back into the open bidding process and off the negotiating table.
The WBO’s letter outlines strict terms. The minimum bid is set at $300,000, with a required 20 percent deposit due immediately from the winning promoter. Once the bid is awarded, the fight must be scheduled within 60 days.The WBO’s letter lays out firm terms. The minimum bid is set at $300,000, with a 20 percent deposit due on the day of the auction. Once a promoter wins the bid, the fight must be scheduled within 60 days. Miss that window and the rights move on. There is no flexibility built into the order, and no room left for delays.
The delay has been impossible to ignore. Smith, now 35, is positioned as a leading contender for a high-value fight against unified champion Dmitry Bivol. That opportunity represents a payday likely larger than any Smith has earned. Morrell stands directly in the way. He is younger, explosive, and viewed as a genuine threat rather than a routine interim defense that can be managed safely.
That dynamic explains the hesitation. A loss to Morrell would not just cost Smith an interim belt. It could push him out of the title queue entirely and stall his momentum.
The purse bid removes the safety net. Smith either clears Morrell now or accepts the risk that time and delay already worked against him.
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Last Updated on 01/22/2026
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