David Morrell makes a strong first impression.
Luis DeCubas Sr., the advisor to so many elite Cuban boxers, first saw the 168-contender when he was shown a video of the then-17-year-old amateur’s fight against Cuban legend Julio Cesar La Cruz. Morrell lost a disputed decision but DeCubas was convinced instantaneously that the teenager could be great.
Morrell was only 5-0 in his pro career when he started working with respected trainer Ronnie Shields in Houston. Shields was stunned by what he saw from a fighter with so few fights.
It was that ability – a combination of natural gifts and years of hard work – that convinced DeCubas that Morrell was capable of fighting for the WBA super middleweight “interim” world title in only his third fight in August 2020.
Morrell (9-0, 8 KOs) easily defeated overmatched veteran Lennox Allen in that bout, winning a one-sided decision and the belt. He has knocked out his other eight opponents and expects to make Sena Agbeko nine on Saturday at The Armory in Minneapolis (Showtime).
DeCubas described Joel Casamayor as the greatest Cuban-born fighter in the post-Castro era but he didn’t have him face such a challenge with a 2-0 record.
“I would never have had Joel Casamayor fight a guy like Lennox Allen when he was 2-0,” DeCubas said. “Allen was 22-0 (actually 22-0-1), a veteran. I never would’ve done that with [Yuriorkis] Gamoba, [Erislandy] Lara, [Guillermo] Rigondeaux … but I put Morrell in there.
“Casamayor is the best of all Cuban fighters since the Castro era. I think he’s proven that. Rigondeaux was very good. [But] David is the most talented Cuban fighter I’ve ever worked with.”
What makes Morrell so special?
DeCubas cited his protégé’s boxing ability, which was polished in the Cuban amateur system. He pointed out that Morrel can hurt opponents with both hands, which has been evident in his nine fights. DeCubas compared him to all-time great Carlos Monzon … “but with better defense than Monzaon.”
And, of course, none that would matter if he didn’t have discipline.
“He has the talent but also the dedication, the drive, the desire,” DeCubas said. “That’s why he was willing to make Minnesota his home [base early in his career], him and Jamal James. He got up at 6 and ran in 30-below-zero temperatures.
“The kid is very determined. He went to Minnesota and followed the game plan.”
The first thing that struck Shields, who has worked with several Cubans, was the young fighter’s skill set but he soon realized that Morrell also was committed to getting even better.
“Once I started working with him I noticed that he was catching on to everything really quickly,” Shields said. “He’s really, really good at so many different things. … He’s determined to be the best fighter in the world.
“He loves the sport, everything related to the sport. He’s all in. That’s the mark of a great fighter.”
Of course, Morrell, 25, is just getting started. He has a perfect record and has become a top contender but he has yet to face a top-level opponent, which is required before can be considered one of the best fighters in the world pound for pound.
He certainly wants to fight the likes of Canelo Alvarez and David Benavidez, the top 168-pounders. In fact, he has been chasing Benavidez for some time now, saying anything he believes will help him lure the two-time titleholder into the ring.
He didn’t want to talk much about Benavidez in the lead up to Saturday, insisting he’s focused on Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs). DeCubas was less restrained. He said Benavidez is “running away” from Morrell among other comments meant to provoke his fighter’s rival, who is coming off a sensational knockout of Demetruis Andrade.
First things first, however. Morrell must get past Agbeko, a hard-punching Ghanaian. Then he can continue his pursuit of bigger and better things. His handlers are convinced he’ll be ready when the time comes.
“I’ve been in boxing for 40 years,” DeCubas said. “David is one of the best I’ve ever seen [period], forget Cubans.”
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