Zak Chelli Shocks Boxing World, Stops David Morrell in Stunning Upset

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Robert LaMar | Last updated May 9, 2026 10:47 PM ET

MANCHESTER, England — Zak Chelli may have just delivered the frontrunner for Upset of the Year. Chelli scored a dramatic 10th-round stoppage over David Morrell at Co-op Live Arena, turning a competitive fight into a career-defining moment with a late surge.

Chelli (17-3-1, 9 KOs) grew into the bout, steadily building confidence against the higher-ranked Morrell. After hurting him in the ninth round, Chelli closed the show in the tenth — forcing the referee to step in after trapping Morrell in the corner and landing a decisive right hook.

Morrell’s Missed Opportunity

Morrell (12-2, 9 KOs), ranked No. 5 at light heavyweight by The Ring Magazine, showed flashes of his elite skill early on. The Cuban southpaw controlled stretches of the fight with his jab and hand speed, particularly:

Establishing range in the opening rounds
Increasing aggression in the fifth and sixth
Landing his most effective left hands midway through the fight

But a lack of urgency proved costly. Despite having Chelli hurt at times, Morrell failed to press for a finish allowing his opponent to recover and regroup.

Zak Chelli has just did what David Benavidez couldn't do and stopped David Morrell Jr

Image | Source: Dice City Sports
Image | Source: Dice City Sports

One of THE biggest upsets in the past decade.

Incredible

Image | Source: Dice City Sports
#MorrellChelli | #WardleyDubois pic.twitter.com/xCmw2l4MMI
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) May 9, 2026

Chelli’s Persistence Pays Off

Chelli’s game plan evolved as the fight progressed. Using movement and looping shots, he disrupted Morrell’s rhythm and stayed competitive through the middle rounds.

Everything changed in the ninth. A clean right hand stunned Morrell and sent him to the ropes, shifting momentum dramatically. Though Morrell survived the round, he never fully recovered.

Sensing the moment, Chelli came out aggressively in the 10th. He backed Morrell into the corner and unleashed a flurry, capped by a sharp right hook that forced the stoppage sealing the biggest win of his career.

For Zak Chelli, this victory catapults him into the light heavyweight conversation and instantly raises his profile on the global stage. For David Morrell, it’s a setback that will raise serious questions about his killer instinct at the elite level.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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