In a competitive and often chaotic super middleweight contest at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York, David Morrell secured a ten-round split decision victory over Imam Khataev. The bout unfolded as a back-and-forth battle, characterized by both fighters opting to stand their ground and trade power punches, deviating perhaps from a more cautious technical approach some might have anticipated for Morrell.
The fight quickly devolved into the type of engagement favored by powerful punchers, a style both men are known for. Instead of utilizing his southpaw skills to manage distance and defuse his opponent, Morrell elected to meet Khataev in the center of the ring, resulting in numerous heated exchanges that tested both fighters` resilience.
This tactical choice led to moments of significant danger for Morrell, most notably in the fifth round when a powerful right hand from Khataev sent the Cuban fighter to the canvas. Visibly shaken, Morrell demonstrated considerable resolve to recover from the knockdown and navigate the remainder of the round, and indeed the fight, ultimately doing enough on the judges` scorecards.
As the later rounds progressed, the demanding pace of the fight began to take its toll, particularly on Khataev, who appeared exhausted in the final stanza. Morrell attempted to press his advantage, seeking a late stoppage or another knockdown, but Khataev managed to survive to the final bell. Khataev, who faced scrutiny surrounding a doping-related issue during fight week, will likely feel the decision did not go his way.
The official scores reflected the competitive nature and differing interpretations of the contest: John McKaie scored it 96-93 for Morrell, Allen Nace saw it 95-94 for Morrell, while Tony Lundy scored it 95-94 in favor of Khataev. The split verdict underscores the contentious nature of the bout`s scoring.
With this result, David Morrell advances his professional record to 12-1 with 9 knockouts. His sole prior defeat came against David Benavidez, who coincidentally was present promoting an upcoming fight. Imam Khataev`s record now stands at 10-1 with 9 knockouts, marking his first professional loss in a bout that proved both challenging and controversial.
Tristan Blackwood