Light-heavyweight contender David Morrell insists nothing will derail his return on Saturday despite opponent Imam Khataev’s newly revealed two-year ITA suspension for a 2024 clomifene positive. Khataev’s camp produced VADA tests from June 10 and June 30 showing clean results and blamed “minute contamination” during a Ramadan meal, but the Russian still faces a ban issued on behalf of the IBA. For now, Ring III promoters are keeping the bout intact beneath the Berlanga-Stevenson pay-per-view at New York’s ANB Arena.
Morrell shrugged off the drama when Boxing News cornered him at Tuesday’s workouts, declaring he is “100 percent ready” and feels sympathy for Khataev - “but not for Saturday night.” The Cuban-born southpaw is hunting momentum after dropping a spirited decision to David Benavidez in February and says the opponent is irrelevant: “If it’s Khataev or the next guy, I win 100 percent - decision or knockout, I don’t care.”
Khataev has rattled off three victories since the flagged sample, including stoppages of Ezequiel Maderna and Yunior Menendez, and was widely viewed as a genuine acid test for Morrell’s move to 175 lbs. Eye of the Tiger Management argues the sanction should not apply to professional competition and notes multiple negative results before and after the April 9 test, but regulators have yet to clarify whether the ban will be enforced outside IBA events.
With ticket sales strong and broadcast slots locked, organizers are betting the fight proceeds as planned. Should New York’s commission intervene at the eleventh hour, Morrell expects a replacement and vows the crowd will still see his promised rebound.
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Image Credit: The Ring