Raymond “Danger” Muratalla took care of his business in San Diego, dominating Zaur Abdullaev 119‑109, 119‑109 and 118‑110 to claim the IBF interim lightweight title and move to 23‑0 (17 KOs). The victory makes the 27‑year‑old Californian the mandatory challenger for Vasiliy Lomachenko, who must decide by October 8 whether to defend his full IBF crown or retire at 37.
Muratalla boxed smart from the opening bell, alternating stiff jabs with body shots and mixing in southpaw looks to keep Abdullaev guessing. A sharp right in round two set the tone, and although the Russian landed the occasional overhand, Muratalla’s footwork and head movement frustrated any sustained rally. Trainer Robert Garcia pleaded for late‑round flurries, but the judges still saw a near‑shutout.
Fans hoping for a statement knockout inevitably compared the measured performance to Keyshawn Davis’ explosive stoppage of Denys Berinchyk in February. Muratalla brushed off the talk: “I’m now Lomachenko’s mandatory - fighting him would be an honor. After that, I want all the belts.”
If Lomachenko vacates, Muratalla could be elevated to full champion, but the division is stacked. Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson, Keyshawn Davis and Andy Cruz all lurk with styles that could test Muratalla’s craft. “Different styles bring the best out of me,” he said. “You’ll see a better version of Raymond every time out.”
Whether the next step is an icon like Lomachenko or a rising American rival, Muratalla’s San Diego redemption has put him squarely in the lightweight title mix.
Image Credit: Top Rank