Lightweight Raymond Muratalla knows he has a tough job ahead of him against Zaur Abdullaev, that business will have to be taken care of before even thinking about facing IBF lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachen. go
It is reported that Muratalla, 28, from California, is in talks to take on the interim IBF lightweight title against Abdullaev, 30, from Russia, which could take place in March. The winner of Muratalla-Abdullaev Expected to fight for the IBF 135-pound championship against Lomachenko.
Muratalla told Fight Hype TV that his years of hard work are about to be rewarded.
“I think he (Abdullayev) is strong, man,” Muratalla said. “He’s hungry. Like you said. He came back with a couple of big wins and I know he will be there to fight. It will be a tough fight. And I mean, that’s what we want. And as well as it being an exciting fight for the fans, I think it will be a great show for us.”
Muratalla, 22-0 (17 KO), is coming off a 3-0 season last year, including a win over former IBF junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer in July. Meanwhile, Abdullaev, 20-1 (12 KO), is on a nine-fight win streak since retiring in a four-round bout with Devin Haney in September 2019.
The duo of Muratalla (No. 2) and Abdullayev (No. 4) were ordered by the IBF to fight for the interim championship. This after Lomachenko was unable to extend his initial 60-day initial medical stay, which expired on January 11.
The 36-year-old Ukrainian wrote to the IBF asking for an extension. But the sanctioning agency ruled that they could carry out his wishes only if he agreed to fight the winner of Muratalla- Abdullaev.
Muratalla hopes to seize the opportunity to face Abdullayev first. Then we’ll see if Lomachenko is ready for the confrontation or not.
“Honestly, I am extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to fight for the title. So I just took the opportunity and I had to show up. It’s going to be good for us, it’s going to be good for me, it’s going to be good for my family, our team, and it’s going to be great.
“Honestly, each fight is just me trying to do my best. But this is a big fight for me. And I think it will bring out a lot more from me. And I can’t wait to see how it all plays out. And hopefully I can win that night.”
Muratalla has expressed interest in a future reunion with fellow Top Rank teammate Keyshawn Davis. He is billed to challenge Denis Brincheek for the WBO lightweight title on February 14 in New York.
“That’s probably the most likely fight in the lightweight division. Yeah, I mean it’s going to be huge. I think a win for me for the IBF championship, me and Keyshawn would be the big fight I want. I’m sure the fans will love it and hope everything turns out well. Hopefully it will be me and him.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist specializing in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column called “From The Ringside” in his home country of Ghana for many years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and by email at bernardneequaye@gmail.com–
