{"id":644802,"date":"2026-06-18T06:04:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T06:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/644802\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T06:04:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T06:04:09","slug":"zak-chelli-blasts-ben-whittaker-over-lucky-shot-claim-after-david-morrell-knockout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/644802\/","title":{"rendered":"Zak Chelli Blasts Ben Whittaker Over ‘lucky Shot’ Claim After David Morrell Knockout"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Reacting to comments from Whittaker, Chelli said that his victory over Morrell was far more than a fortunate punch.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t [fought anyone]. I just saw a recent interview of him where he said my fight was a lucky shot,\u201d said Chelli to Sky Sports Boxing. \u201cYou don\u2019t get a lucky shot against a two-time world champion weight division that gave a hard time against David Benavidez.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t get a lucky shot in boxing, especially at that level. Maybe against a smaller. At that level against a guy that is prepared for a lucky shot that is trained for it. I wouldn\u2019t say jealous, but I think he regrets not taking that fight. I don\u2019t think he would have done the job if he\u2019d taken that fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite criticizing Whittaker\u2019s record, Chelli says he would welcome a fight with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see him as actual competition, but he is a big name out there. What are we boxing for? Are we boxing for money, for fame, or for the belts? He\u2019s the one I want with the WBC at the moment. So if his name is brought to me, of course, I\u2019ll be happy to take it,\u201d said Chelli.<\/p>\n

Chelli also revealed that the two were once teammates on Team GB and claimed he dropped Whittaker during a sparring session.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were good friends at one point. We were on Team GB and shared the same rooms, and we were close. I think we fought for the English title in the finals, and I think something messed up there. We had a sparring session. I dropped him in sparring,\u201d said Chelli. \u201cYou can ask witnesses there that I dropped him in sparring, but he still got picked for the Commonwealth Games.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whittaker (11-0-1, 8 KOs) holds the WBC International light heavyweight title and last fought in April, stopping Liam Cameron in the second round of their rematch in Birmingham. Chelli\u2019s upset win over Morrell was the biggest victory of his career and has put him in position for higher-profile fights in the 175-pound division.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see him as competition\u201d<\/p>\n

Zak Chelli has his say on Ben Whittaker \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/JBILvEC3Rt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) June 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Robert Segal is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24 with more than a decade of experience covering fight news, previews, and analysis. Known for his straightforward reporting and ringside perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, contenders, and emerging talent worldwide.<\/p>\n

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