Fight Announcement: Callum Smith vs David Morrell Set for April 18th

The light heavyweight division continues to heat up with the recent official announcement of a high-stakes clash between Callum Smith and David Morrell. Billed as a defense of Smith’s WBO interim world light heavyweight title, the bout is set for April 18, 2026, at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England—Smith’s hometown. The fight will headline a Matchroom Boxing card and stream live on DAZN worldwide.

(Note: The query referenced “Callie Smith,” but this appears to be a common misspelling or autocorrect variation of Callum Smith, the prominent British boxer whose fight with David Morrell was announced around February 17, 2026. No prominent boxer named Callie Smith matches this context in current boxing news.)

Background on the Fighters

Callum Smith (31-2, 22 KOs), nicknamed “Mundo,” is a 35-year-old former WBA super-middleweight champion who moved up to light heavyweight (175 lbs) and captured the WBO interim title in February 2025 with a gritty unanimous decision over previously undefeated Joshua Buatsi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Known for his technical boxing, long reach (78 inches), height advantage (6’3”), and solid power, Smith has faced elite competition throughout his career, including losses to Canelo Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev. This will mark his first fight in Liverpool in over six years, adding emotional weight and home-crowd energy. Promoter Eddie Hearn emphasized the significance: Smith has spent much of his recent career “on the road” against top names, and now he gets a “mega fight” in his home city.

David Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs), the 27-year-old Cuban southpaw, brings explosive power and aggression. A former two-division WBA (regular) champion at super-middleweight and light heavyweight, Morrell is coming off a split decision win over Imam Khataev in 2025, following his first career loss—a tough unanimous decision to David Benavidez earlier that year. His style features high-volume punching, knockout power (75% KO rate), and a willingness to engage in wars, earning him praise as one of the most underrated talents in the sport. Morrell expressed excitement about the matchup: “I’m excited to showcase my talent in front of the great boxing fans in the UK. I’m preparing for an all-out war with Callum Smith on April 18.”

Context and Path to the Fight

This matchup stems from a WBO mandate issued in mid-2025, shortly after Smith’s title win over Buatsi. Negotiations dragged on for months, involving multiple rounds of talks, a threatened purse bid (canceled in early February 2026 after both sides confirmed terms), and repeated “almost there” updates. The prolonged buildup created tension, with fans and analysts questioning whether the fight would ever materialize amid the division’s competitive landscape—where Dmitry Bivol holds the unified WBA/IBF/WBO primary titles (with the WBO interim as a secondary belt), and Benavidez owns the WBC strap.

The announcement finally landed in mid-February 2026, coinciding with other light heavyweight developments and providing a clear path forward. The winner becomes the mandatory challenger for Bivol’s full WBO title (and potentially positions for bigger unification shots), making this more than just an interim defense—it’s a genuine crossroads fight.