David Morrell wants to hear a new voice in the corner.
The Ring has confirmed that the Cuban has left trainer Ronnie Shields and will now team up with Ismael Salas. Prior to making the move, Morrell no longer looked like his old dominant self.
After poking and prodding at
David Benavidez for years, Morrell got his wish. During the lead-up to their February 1 matchup, the Cuban star talked a big game, but under the bright lights in Las Vegas, it was Benavidez who put his best foot forward,
shaking off a knockdown to win by unanimous decision.
In July on 'Ring III' in Queens, New York,
Morrell (12-1, 9 KOs) managed to get back on the winning track against Imam Khataev. Still, that victory was razor-thin and he was forced to pick himself up off the canvas in the fifth round.
Morrell's first fight with Salas could come against The Ring’s No. 3 ranked light heavyweight,
Callum Smith. The current WBO interim belt holder was ordered to defend his secondary trinket against Morrell in July. At the moment, Smith (31-2, 22 KOs) is on a two-fight win streak.
In February, Smith, a former Ring super middleweight champion, scored a hard-fought
decision victory over Joshua Buatsi in a Fight of the Year contender.