Morrell was scheduled to fight Callum Smith on April 18 in Liverpool but the hometown man pulled out with an injury, leaving the Cuban with no opponent and no place on the card.

The event will go ahead with exciting talent, Whittaker, who was on the undercard, headlining against Braian Suarez.

Morrell had hoped he would be the one standing across from Whittaker instead.

“Ben Whittaker, I’m ready to fight April 18,” Morrell wrote on Instagram. “How are you older than me and still a prospect? Let’s give the fans the fight they want to see.”

But Matchroom chief Hearn, well aware of the potential star he has on his hands, has explained why Whittaker vs. Morrell is a fight for later down the line.

“I’ll be very honest with you, Ben’s not ready for that fight yet,” Hearn said. “There’s nothing wrong with that. Morrell is an elite 175-pounder. Ben Whittaker is a world-class elite fighter, who’s learning the game, who hasn’t yet had a 12-round fight. We’re not fighting at that level yet. I’m respecting Morrell. You’re already elite, Whittaker needs three or four fights before we’re fighting at that level. I put Morrell up there with Callum Smith and even with [Dmitry] Bivol and [Artur] Beterbiev.”

Morrell, who is seven months younger than Whittaker, now has to play the waiting game. Hearn has already stated that he hopes to reschedule the Smith fight. Morrell has been out of the ring since picking up a close split decision over Imam Khataev last July on “Ring III.” The winner of Morrell vs. Smith was slated for a shot at Bivol, The Ring, and unified light heavyweight champion.

“We’re fighting Suarez who’s a decent fighter, very good puncher,” Hearn added. “Then we’ll fight on the Jaron Ennis vs. Xander Zayas card, June 27 against a U.S. opponent, then we’re gonna fight a big domestic fight, maybe against [Joshua] Buatsi, [Anthony] Yarde, Lyndon Arthur, those kinds of guys. Then we’re gonna fight for the world championship.”