By Jim Calfa: WBA ‘regular’ super middleweight champion David Morrell predicts an eighth round knockout over mandatory Aidos Yerbossynuly in their interesting contest in the main event this Saturday, November 5th.
The former Cuban outstanding amateur fighter Morrell (7-0, 6 KOs) will defend against the 30-year-old Kazakh Yerbossynuly (16-0, 11 KOs) on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Photo credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME)
On paper, this is a step up in competition for the 24-year-old Morrell, but it could turn out to be as one-sided as all of his other seven previous fights have been. Yerbossynuly is giving away a lot of hand speed and athleticism to Morrell.
It’s going to be difficult for him to overcome the advantages that Morrell has in this fight. Yerbossynuly has got a lot of punching power, but it’s going to take the perfect shot for him to hurt Morrell enough to get him out of there.
“I feel bad for Aidos. He has no idea what’s going on,” said WBA ‘regular’ super middleweight champion David Morrell about challenger Aidos Yerbossynuly during Thursday’s final press conference.
“I want to fight David Benavidez in my next fight. 100% I’m coming for the knockout. He’s the one that’s asking for it. I’m predicting an eighth-round knockout.”
There’s a good chance that Morrell will get the Benavidez fight if the two of them are successful in their fights. Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) will be fighting Caleb Plant in the first quarter of next year, and there’s no telling who wins that fight.
If Benavidez losses to Plant, then it’s unlikely Morrell will still face him. Plant probably won’t bother fighting Morrell because he might need to for him to get the rematch with Canelo Alvarez that he’s been asking for.
“We’re in the home stretch now. I’m going to go in there and go for the win,” said Morrell.
“I appreciate Aidos stepping up to this fight, but now it’s time to show what I can do. I’m going to show the rest of the division what’s in store for them,” said Morrell.
This is a showcase fight for Morrell to display his boxing skills for the fans that have never seen him before and to send a message to the top fighters at 168.
“I’m a hunter, and I’m here to hunt Morrell on Saturday night and bring that belt home,” said Yerbossynuly.