MN-based boxing champ David Morrell set for Saturday title defense at Armory
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After a stellar amateur boxing career in Cuba, David Morell Jr defected through Mexico and to the United States – eventually landing in Minnesota. In his adopted home, he’s grown into a world champion and earned passionate support from the state’s boxing fans.
Three dominant performances in front of his adopted home crowd at the Minneapolis Armory helped him become the WBA World Super Middleweight Champion and established the downtown venue as his fortress of support.
His fourth fight is a title defense Saturday night against Texas-native Kalvin Henderson (15-1-1) at the Armory.
Click the video box on this page to watch KSTP’s Chris Long chat with David Morrell Jr. about the support he has in his adopted homestate and hometown, and the feeling he gets lighting up the home fans when he fights at the Armory
Morrell won the WBA Interim World Title in his third professional fight – tying a modern boxing record.
But the 24-year-old’s current 6-0 professional record belies more than 130 amateur bouts he fought before leaving Cuba – where professional boxing had been banned.
After a stellar amateur boxing career in Cuba, David Morell Jr defected through Mexico and to the United States - eventually landing in Minnesota. In his adopted home, he's grown into a world champion and earned passionate support from the state's boxing fans.
A win Saturday night would help Morrell’s case for a shot at David Benavidez, regarded as the top contender behind unified Super Middleweight champ Canelo Alvarez.
Tickets are still available for Saturday night’s card at the Armory which will also be broadcast on SHOWTIME.