Raymond Muratalla (22-0, 17 KOs) wants a world title shot at lightweight following his second-round knockout win over Jesus Perez (25-6, 18 KOs) last Saturday night in an ESPN-televised fight in Verona, New York.
(Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
#2 WBC and #2 WBO ranked Muratalla twice dropped Perez with left hands in round two. The was stopped shortly after the second knockout by referee Charlie Fitch, who saw the condition the 27-year-old Perez was in and chose not to let it continue.
Perez is a light welterweight and has fought at 147 in recent fights. He did not look strong, draining down to 135 to be the opponent for Muratalla. In hindsight, Top Rank should have selected a true lightweight for Muratalla to fight rather than selecting a fighter who has been competing at welterweight and who had recently ballooned up to 200+ lb.
Muratalla’s performance against Perez outshined the main event clash between WBC super featherweight champion Robson Conceicao and O’Shaquie Foster. That fight was barely watchable between the two in their rematch, which was booed by the crowd at the Turning Stone Resort Casino.
It’s believed that Top Rank is positioning Muratalla to fight for the IBF lightweight belt next and is waiting to see if champion Vasily Lomachenko will retire. If the IBF belt becomes vacant, #4 Muratalla and #5 Zaur Abdullaev are expected to battle for it.
William Zepeda is the number one ranked contender for the IBF title, but he’ll be challenging Shakur Stevenson for his WBC belt in February. Keyshawn is rated #2, but Top Rank are positioning him to challenge for the WBO title against champion Denys Berinchyk.
“I’m asking for these title shots, and they haven’t given them to me. So, tonight, I proved that I deserve it. I want any of the champions,” said Raymond Muratalla to ESPN, following his second-round knockout win over Jesus Perez last Saturday night.
I wouldn’t say that Muratalla proved that he deserves a title shot after his win over Perez because this was not a lightweight contender he beat. Perez is a light welterweight who came into the fight with a 1-2 record in his last three contests and looked weak.
For Muratalla to deserve a title shot, he would have to beat these types of contenders:
– Andy Cruz
– William Zepeda
– Keyshawn Davis
– Edwin De Los Santos
“I’m ready for you [Vasily Lomachenko]. I’m ready for Shakur. I’m ready for Berinchyk; I’m ready for any of the guys with a belt. I’m here; I’m just waiting for that call. I’m just waiting for his decision, and I’m waiting for that call,” said Muratalla, waiting for IBF lightweight champion Lomachenko to decide if he’ll retire or fight him next.
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