Cuban southpaw David Morrell steps back into British waters on May 9, 2026, taking on Zak Chelli on the undercard of Wardley vs Dubois at the Co-OP LIVE Arena, Manchester. Morrell came within a whisker of a world title shot before losing a decision to David Benavidez — now he needs a convincing win against an awkward English challenger to stay in contention.
| Date | May 9, 2026 |
| Venue | Co-OP LIVE Arena, Manchester |
| Division | Super Middleweight |
| Rounds | 10 |
| Broadcast | DAZN PPV (UK & US) |
David Morrell (12-1) is one of the most gifted talents in the super middleweight division. The 27-year-old Cuban southpaw — full name Osvary David Morrell Gutiérrez — stands 6’1” with a 78.3” reach and possesses the kind of natural athleticism that made him a mandatory challenger well ahead of schedule. His KO of Yamaguchi Falcao in Round 1 and clinical stoppage of Sena Agbeko showed what he’s capable of when he’s sharp.
The loss to David Benavidez in February 2025 — a unanimous decision over 12 rounds — was a learning experience more than a setback. He went 12 competitive rounds with arguably the best super middleweight on the planet outside of Canelo, and he came back with a split-decision win over Imam Khataev in July 2025. Morrell is still very much in the conversation — he just needs a statement performance to re-establish himself.
Zak Chelli (15-3-1) is the kind of opponent who punishes complacency. The 27-year-old from London has fought the best available in British super middleweight circles — a 12-round loss to Callum Simpson in August 2024 showed he can go the distance against elite opposition, and his TKO win over Adam Hepple in June 2025 demonstrated punching power when given an opening.
Chelli won’t be overawed by the stage and won’t hand Morrell an easy night. His awkward style and willingness to engage make him a legitimate test at this level.
| David Morrell | Zak Chelli | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 27 | 27 |
| Record | 12-1 | 15-3-1 |
| Height | 6’1” | 6’0” |
| Reach | 78.3” | N/A |
| Stance | Southpaw | Orthodox |
| Career Rounds | 76 | 124 |
David Morrell — Last 5 Fights
| Result | Opponent | Method | Rnd |
|---|---|---|---|
| W | Imam Khataev | SD | 10 |
| L | David Benavidez | UD | 12 |
| W | Radivoje Kalajdzic | UD | 12 |
| W | Sena Agbeko | TKO | 2 |
| W | Yamaguchi Falcao | KO | 1 |
Zak Chelli — Last 5 Fights
| Result | Opponent | Method | Rnd |
|---|---|---|---|
| W | Adam Hepple | TKO | 10 |
| L | Callum Simpson | UD | 12 |
| W | Jack Cullen | UD | 12 |
| W | Jordan Grannum | TKO | 4 |
| L | Mark Jeffers | UD | 10 |
Morrell’s southpaw angles and 6’1” frame give him a natural edge against orthodox fighters. He uses his reach to fire the left hand over the jab and move laterally — the classic southpaw disruptor. His 76 career rounds across 13 fights show he prefers to finish rather than go the distance.
Chelli’s 124 rounds of professional experience — nearly double Morrell’s — means he won’t be rushed or flustered. He has survived 12 rounds against quality domestic opposition and knows how to manage the pace of a fight. If he can disrupt Morrell’s rhythm and rough him up on the inside, the upset is possible.
The Benavidez loss showed Morrell can be outworked at volume. Chelli’s best path is exactly that — high output, physical pressure, making it an ugly fight. Morrell’s best path is to stay disciplined, use his jab to keep distance, and look for the left hand over the top.
David Morrell wins if:
Zak Chelli wins if:
Morrell is a clear favourite here, and the class differential should tell over 10 rounds. But this is no gimme — Chelli has gone 12 competitive rounds with the best in Britain.
Our prediction: David Morrell by TKO, Rounds 7-9. Morrell will box beautifully for the first half, gradually land the left hand with increasing regularity, and find the finish late in the fight. A convincing performance that restores his top-10 standing.
| Country | Broadcaster | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 UK | DAZN PPV | 5:30 PM BST |
| 🇺🇸 US | DAZN PPV | 12:30 PM ET |
Morrell vs Chelli is part of a stacked Manchester night headlined by Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois for the WBO Heavyweight title. Also on the card: Jack Rafferty vs Ekow Essuman, Liam Cameron vs Bradley Rea, and Khaleel Majid vs Gavin Gwynne.
When is David Morrell vs Zak Chelli? May 9, 2026 at the Co-OP LIVE Arena, Manchester — on the Wardley vs Dubois undercard.
What weight is Morrell vs Chelli? The fight is scheduled at super middleweight (168 lb).
How can I watch Morrell vs Chelli? On DAZN PPV in both the UK and the US as part of the Wardley vs Dubois card.
What are David Morrell’s key strengths? Morrell is a tall, rangy southpaw with excellent footwork, a sharp left hand, and the ability to finish fights — 10 of his 12 wins have come by stoppage.
What are Zak Chelli’s key strengths? Chelli brings durability, volume punching, and 124 career rounds of experience. He has beaten quality opposition and won’t be intimidated by the stage.
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