Boxing Match Preview: David Morrell (11-1-0, KOs) vs. Imam Khataev (10-0-0, 9 KOs)

Cuban standout David Morrell (11–1, 9 KOs) returns to the ring seeking redemption as he faces undefeated Russian powerhouse Imam Khataev (10–0, 9 KOs) in a 10-round light heavyweight showdown on Saturday, July 12 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. This bout is part of the stacked Ring III card on DAZN PPV, featuring title fights and rising stars across multiple divisions.

Fight Details

Event	Info
Date	Saturday, July 12, 2025
Location	Louis Armstrong Stadium, NYC
Time	Ring Walk ~9:40 PM ET
Broadcast	DAZN PPV ($59.99)
Weight Class	Light Heavyweight (175 lbs)
Rounds	10

Fighter Breakdown

🇨🇺 David Morrell

Age: 27

Height/Reach: 6’1″ / 78.5″

Stance: Southpaw

Record: 11–1–0 (9 KOs)

Recent Form: UD loss to David Benavidez; UD win over Radivoje Kalajdzic

Strengths: Ring IQ, timing, body shots, reach advantage

Notable Fact: Former WBA super middleweight champion; now ranked top 3 by WBA, WBC, and WBO at 175 lbs

🇷🇺 Imam Khataev

Age: 30

Height/Reach: 5’11” / 70.5″

Stance: Orthodox

Record: 10–0–0 (9 KOs)

Recent Form: KO win over Durval Elias Palacio

Strengths: Power, aggression, Olympic pedigree

Notable Fact: 2020 Olympian; dubbed “the next Beterbiev” by fans

Key Storylines

Redemption Arc: Morrell looks to bounce back from his first career loss to Benavidez, which exposed issues with punch volume and strategy

Khataev’s Test: Despite his knockout streak, Khataev has yet to face elite opposition—this is his first true step-up fight

Style Clash: Morrell’s slick southpaw movement vs Khataev’s forward pressure and power punching

Stamina Factor: Khataev showed signs of fatigue in his last fight; Morrell could exploit this in the later rounds