Lightweight Raymond Muratalla knows he has a difficult task ahead of him against Zaur Abdullaev. That business has to be handled before even thinking of facing IBF lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko.
California’s Muratalla, 28, is reportedly negotiating an interim IBF lightweight title fight against 30-year-old Abdullaev of Russia which could take place in March. The winner of Muratalla-Abdullaev is expected to fight for the IBF 135-pound championship against Lomachenko.
Muratalla told Fight Hype TV that his years of hard work were about to be rewarded.
“I think he’s (Abdullaev) tough, man,” said Muratalla. “He’s hungry. Like you said, he’s coming back with a couple of great wins and I just know he’s gonna be there to fight. It’s gonna be a tough fight. And, I mean, that’s what we want. And just as it is an exciting fight for the fans, I think it’s gonna be a great show for us.”
Muratalla, 22-0 (17 KOs), is coming off a 3-0 campaign last year, including an emphatic win over former IBF junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer in July. Meanwhile, Abdullaev, 20-1 (12 KOs), is on a nine-fight winning streak, since retiring in four rounds against Devin Haney in September 2019.
The duo – Muratalla (ranked no.2) and Abdullaev (ranked no.4) – were ordered by the IBF to fight for an interim championship following Lomachenko’s inability to meet the initial 60-day medical extension which expired on January 11.
The 36-year-old Ukrainian had written to the IBF asking for an extension, but the sanctioning body ruled that they could only grant his wish if he agreed to fight the winner of Muratalla- Abdullaev.
Muratalla hopes to first take the opportunity against Abdullaev and then see if Lomachenko would make himself available for a showdown.
“Honestly, I’m just super grateful that I even get the opportunity just to fight for a title. So, I’m just taking the opportunity and I have to show up. It’s gonna be great for us, great for me, great for my family, our team, and it’s gonna be dope.
“Honestly, each fight is just me trying to be at my best, but this is a huge fight for me and I think it’s gonna bring a lot more out of me. And, I just can’t wait to see how everything plays out and hopefully I get that win that night.”
Muratalla expressed interest in a future unification with Top Rank stablemate Keyshawn Davis – who is billed to challenge WBO lightweight titlist Denis Berinchyk on February 14 in New York.
“That’s probably the most likely fight that’ll be able to happen in the lightweight division. Yeah, I mean that’ll be huge. I think with a win for me in the IBF championship, me and Keyshawn will be a big fight that I would like. I’m sure the fans would love it and hopefully, everything plays out right. It’ll be me and him hopefully.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at [email protected].
Read the full article here
