The one-time rising star was on the wrong end of a massive upset on the Fabio Wardley-Daniel Dubois card Saturday in England, getting knocked out by Zak Chelli in the 10th and final round of what had been a competitive light heavyweight bout.

It was the 28-year-old Cuban's second setback in three fights, after also losing a decision to David Benavidez in February 2025.

Could Morrell (12-2, 9 KOs) be finished as a legitimate title contender? Not so fast, he says.

“This does not mean that David Morrell’s career is over,” Morrell wrote on his Instagram account. “We need to take this as a lesson from everything and move on with more strength. We’ll be back soon and with more news for you.”

Morrell is fortunate that he isn't 0-3 in his last three fights, having been dropped by then-unbeaten Imam Khataev only to win a split decision last July in New York between the Benavidez and Chelli fights.

And now, the last image fans have of him is when his body went limp against the ropes in the final minute of the fight against Chelli.

Morrell wants his fans to know that he’s feeling well after the brutal stoppage and already plotting his return, although there is no indication of when he might step back into the ring.

“For those who are worried, I’m fine and healthy, thank God,” Morrell said. “A man is not measured by the times he falls, but the times he gets up. This is the beginning of a new stage, not the end of the race.”