Boxing is built on some remarkable stories that change the fortunes of men and women virtually overnight.
Zak Chelli, a 28-year-old secondary school supply teacher from Fulham, became one of those two weeks ago in Manchester, having his very own Rocky moment with a performance that could very well change his life.
On just two weeks’ notice, Chelli stepped into replace Callum Smith to take on the talented Cuban fighter David Morrell, a former world title challenger and one of the best operators in the stacked light-heavyweight division.
Morell, the heavy favourite on the night, was rocked in the ninth round by Chelli, who smelled blood. The man who spends plenty of his days in the classroom taught his opponent a lesson he would never forget in the 10th, unleashing thunderous hooks that left Morrell ‘sleeping standing up’ and the referee mercifully stepping in to end the contest.
It was one of the biggest boxing upsets in recent years. Morell’s only previous defeat came against David Benavidez, aptly named ‘The Mexican Monster’ and one of boxing’s truly elite fighters.
Chelli has previously won titles at English, British and Commonwealth level, but his win in Manchester two weeks ago could now lift him into the world title picture.
It’s a world away from the life of a supply teacher. ‘I will go to any school that needs me for the day,’ Chelli told Metro. ‘I’ll teach any subject from maths, to music, to history, even some drama. I cover any lesson.’
While worlds apart, the values Chelli has held in boxing have served him well in school. ‘There are some things similar,’ he said. ‘You listen to your trainer, the same way you listen to your teacher. If you follow it correctly, practice and work hard enough for when the test comes, you will do well. It is the same for both worlds.’
While he tries his hand at any lesson plan, boxing is his gold standard. Chelli also works with Time Out Boxing, an organisation that goes from school to school teaching the sport to children to encourage positive changes in their lives.
‘I haven’t seen them since the fight,’ Chelli said, speaking to us just before he was about to leave for another day working with pupils at a school in Heathrow. ‘They told me don’t come back if you lose. They want to see their teacher do something.
‘Boxing hopefully will teach them a bit of discipline for life and follow some order. They don’t attend their other lessons but they will attend their boxing lessons so I am trying to encourage them and I can give back this way.’
The Londoner has dedicated his life to boxing – a sport that doesn’t always reward its fighters like it should.
Fighters at the summit of the sport earn millions, but the reality for the vast majority of those in the game is an uncertain and sometimes difficult life, trying to find harmony between real-life problems and their sporting ambitions. Paying bills and saving for holidays is all the more complicated when you have to finance training camps and sparring partners. It is a delicate and often brutal balancing act.
‘Since my fight in Barnsley [his British super-middleweight title defeat to Callum Simpson in August 2024] I actually haven’t been paid by boxing,’ Chelli said. ‘Two years with no payment out of it, but I was still training every day, my dad was making me.
‘I was still going to work. I was making no money from the sport. Last year I won the English light-heavyweight title and the money came out of my own pocket. But it has helped put me in a position where I can get these opportunities. My dad told me every day it would be worth it.’
After schooling Morrell, Chelli’s focus is now on the man he replaced that night in Callum Smith. Smith holds the ‘interim’ WBO light-heavyweight title, with the full world title still in the possession of Dmitry Bivol. The sanctioning body has ruled Bivol must defend the belt against Smith – if not, he will be forced to vacate the title.
It’s all part of boxing’s endless and complicated red tape. But Chelli’s performance in Manchester two weeks ago showed how simple it should be. Take your chance, beat your opponent and get rewarded.
He hopes the path he is now on with usher in the sponsorship opportunities that can allow him to leave behind the classroom and focus fully on his craft – although he still plans to continue giving back in his role with Time Out Boxing.
But there are now bigger prizes at stake with Smith firmly in his sights.
‘I want Callum Smith now, I want to go for that world title and I believe I have a very good shot of beating him,’ Chelli said. ‘I sparred with him a few times and I believe I got the better of him. I’m ready to shock the world again.
‘I’ve got a meeting with [promoter] Frank Warren next week and I am hoping we can discuss the journey that leads to fighting Callum Smith. Hopefully he will be next. If not, I want the path towards a world title. I believe I deserve that fight. He I also need to prove what happened against David Morrell wasn’t just a fluke. I need to show Zak Chelli is the real deal.’
Zak Chelli vs. David Morrell and the full card was broadcast live on DAZN, The Undisputed Global Home of Boxing – Subscribe to DAZN HERE.