DAVID Morrell insists he is still fighting on Saturday night in New York despite the revelation that his opponent has received a two-year ban for a doping violation.
On Tuesday (July 8), the International Testing Agency (ITA) published a statement confirming that Imam Khataev had tested positive for the banned substance clomifene.
The out-of-competition doping test was conducted on April 9, 2024 – three months after Khataev stopped Michal Ludwiczak in the second round and just 26 days before extending his unbeaten record to 7-0 with a win over Ricards Bolotniks.
Since then, the Russian has fought three more times, defeating Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (TKO 7), Yunior Menendez (TKO 3), and Durval Elias Palacio (UD 10).
On Saturday night, Khataev is scheduled to face Morrell in what was shaping up to be an intriguing light-heavyweight clash between two top 15 contenders.
According to the ITA, the sanction against Khataev was issued on behalf of the International Boxing Association (IBA), with whom the ITA has delivered anti-doping support since February 2019.
Today, Khataev’s promoter Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM) released a statement in response, including documentation from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) showing Khataev tested negative for performance-enhancing drugs on June 10 and June 30, 2025.
EOTTM referred to the detected amount of clomifene as “minute” and called the finding “unexpected” and “deeply concerning to Imam.”
Their statement read:
“Imam categorically denies the intentional or knowing ingestion of any banned substances and insists that the only possible explanation for this adverse analytical finding is food contamination. Imam’s anti-doping control took place at dawn during Ramadan, shortly after the nightly feast that breaks the fast. At the time, Imam followed a high-protein diet and must have unknowingly consumed clomifene-contaminated food, which in turn led to the adverse analytical finding.”
EOTTM also stressed that Khataev had tested negative several times both prior to and after the April 9 test.
Boxing News caught up with Morrell, 11-1 (9 KOs), in New York and asked if the situation had affected his mindset.
“I’m 100% for Saturday night,” he said. “It’s maybe a problem, I don’t know. The drugs – I don’t know what happened. I’m ready for Saturday night, I’m focused for Saturday night, and nothing has changed.”
Morrell then expressed sympathy for his scheduled opponent.
“I feel bad for him. He’s a fighter, I’m a fighter too. I feel bad for him – but not for Saturday night.”
Saturday night’s Ring III card, headlined by Edgar Berlanga vs. Shakur Stevenson, is still expected to include Morrell vs. Khataev. At the time of writing, there is no indication otherwise.
Morrell made clear: “Of course, 100%. If it’s Khataev, or it’s not Khataev, then the next one—I’m ready. I’m ready for everybody.”
Morrell, who suffered his first career loss earlier this year against David Benavidez, remains confident he will bounce back.
“I win 100%, I promise you. I don’t know if it’s decision or knockout – I don’t care.”
