The 2020 Olympian Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs) is one of the top contenders in the 175-lb division and is a classic pressure fighter with power in both hands. If Morrell hasn\u2019t improved his game since his loss to Benavidez, he\u2019ll lose.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel it is going to be a war. My opponent has an aggressive style. He\u2019s shown that he has some power from what we can see, but so do I. I\u2019m aggressive. I have power. So, we\u2019re both going to come forward. It\u2019s going to be an action-packed fight,\u201d said David Morrell to Boxing News<\/a> about his clash against Imam Khataev on July 12th.<\/p>\n Morrell is going to have to fight Khataev because this guy is going to bring the aggression, just like Benavidez did. He\u2019s not as fast and doesn\u2019t throw the same rapid-fire combinations. Khataev\u2019s single punches have a lot of power, and he\u2019s relentless. That\u2019s why some fans view him as the next Beterbiev.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re expecting a war and preparing for a war. I never saw him before,\u201d said Morrell about Khataev. \u201cThe Olympic games, I\u2019m younger. I was on the international team in Cuba. So, it\u2019s different. I didn\u2019t know him. I know him right now. I\u2019m only focused on this fight. After, my manager will tell me what happens next.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"YouTube](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1751430550_693_hqdefault.jpg\"\/)
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