David Morrell Easily Defeats Alantez Fox
One of the more talented young fighters today that continues to fall somewhat under the radar is Cuban super middleweight David Morrell (6-0, 5KO). The 2017 Cuban National Amateur Champion had a tough task in former world title contender Alantez Fox (28-3-1, 13KO) in a PBC on FOX headliner. He successfully defended his WBA “regular” title for a second time with flying colors!
DAVID MORRELL
While many fans are enamored by the knockout percentage of Puerto Rican prospect Edgar Berlanga, the excitement of 19 year-old phenom Xander Zayas or the poise and ring I.Q. of Keyshawn Davis, Morrell is the “best kept secret” when it comes to prospects. This is cosigned by many around the sport and within his own division. Two-time WBC super middleweight champ David Benavidez is quoted stating the 23 year-old is already a top fighter in the division now!
Morrell is on a “Vasiliy Lomachenko-esque” path. He has only fought one fighter with a losing record (his pro debut) and captured the WBA “regular” title in just his third pro fight. Furthermore, his first five fights saw him take the ‘0’ from two undefeated opponents. A side story is this bout was Morrell’s first with new trainer Ronnie Shields.
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ALANTEZ FOX
Fox is a respected contender at super middleweight but his most notable performance was a loss to current WBO champion Demetrius Andrade in October 2017. In that fight, he gave Andrade some trouble and even scored a knockdown, although, being severely over-matched.
However, when given an opportunity to become Andrade’s mandatory for a rematch, he would be stopped early by Liam Williams in December 2019. He immediately moved up to super middleweight where he would notch two wins and establish a #10 position with the WBA and #14 ranking with the IBF.
He was expected to present a problem with his height, reach and professional experience against a 5-0 Morrell. That was absolutely not the case!
ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE
The champ looked to assert himself early. He spent most of his time walking Fox down and backing him up with combinations started behind the jab. At times he would get a little too wild, seemingly looking to have another easy night at work.
However, Fox was much too uncomfortable. He tried to get off and answer back as much as he could. However, the upper-body movement of Morrell had him missing virtually everything he threw. Additionally, Fox’s footwork looked like he was standing on a skateboard in the ring. Anytime he was hit with a big shot, it looked as if his legs were ready to go every time.
Finally in round four, a short left hook would be the beginning of what viewers were expecting. Fox would crumble to the canvas. Although he beat the count, the champ is a great finisher and the inevitable would come. Morrell pounced on his pray knocking him all over the ring with combinations and landing signature uppercuts on the inside whenever Fox tried to hold on.
Fox was completely wide-eyed and resembling a deer in headlights as he bounced from one side of the ring to the next. After a little over a minute of witnessing a massacre, Fox’s father/trainer threw in the towel.
THE RIGHT CALL
Surprisingly, the challenger was seen showing his disapproval of the stoppage after the fight while getting his gloves removed. He also just stood in one spot starring into the abyss with a solemn look on his face as Morrell was announced as the winner.
It is unknown why Fox would be upset. He was getting ridiculously battered. Replays of the end of the fight showed Fox’s father screaming at the ref to stop the fight. Equally disturbing, Shields threw the towel in himself in an effort to help Fox although he is the trainer for Morrell! Watching a corner throw in the towel in an effort to save the opposing fighter is something this author has never seen before! That was a very risky tactic as the referee could have stopped the fight in favor of Fox!
It remains unknown what will happen for Morrell next. There have been talks of him being a possible opponent of Canelo Alvarez since he is holding the WBA “regular” title but this author doubts it. In reality, Morrell may fall in a long line of fighters being avoided by the top fighters. Therefore for now, all he can do is beat everybody that is put in front of him.
Reading Time: 4 minutes
By: EJ Williams
