Raymond Muratalla banking on old-school skills, negotiation to land Shakur Stevenson showdown

Raymond Muratalla has defeated two Olympic gold medalists this year while wearing the IBF lightweight belt and owning an unblemished 25-0 record.

A man of few words who bypassed speaking to reporters following his convincing Saturday night title defense in Las Vegas over former 130lbs champion Robson Conceicao, Muratalla is hopeful it doesn’t have to devolve to a social-media scrap to get a fight against four-division and WBO 140lbs champion Shakur Stevenson next.

In his first extensive interview since Saturday’s victory at Virgin Hotels Resort Casino in the co-main event of Saturday’s new TNT/DAZN monthly boxing series, “The Fight,” Muratalla said he believes a bout with Stevenson can get made through traditional, promoter-to-promoter discussions.  

“I’m hoping that’s how it gets done,” Muratalla, 29, said. “[These] days, it seems like fights get made online, but I know it could definitely get done without all that. That fight can easily be made naturally without all the extra bullshit.

“It’s something we’ve wanted, and something the fans would love to see, and something we’d love. It makes a lot of sense.”

Muratalla, who opened the year by edging Cuban Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz by majority decision in Las Vegas, said he believes moving up in weight positions him to be the first to defeat Stevenson, 25-0 (11 KOs).

“The style I display. I just adjust. I’m a complete fighter,” Muratalla said. “He’s never faced a fighter like me. We’ll put on a good fight for the fans – for everybody – because it’s definitely going to be a challenging fight – something that boxing needs.”

In regard to the Conceicao victory by scores of 119-109, 119-109, 118-110 at 135lbs, Muratalla said it confirmed for him how essential it is to leave lightweight for 140lbs.

“It’s never easy [making 135]. It’s difficult, but I’ll do what it takes. That’s the mindset I have,” he said. “I’m ready to go. Moving up will make things a lot easier, and I’ll feel a lot better. 

“I thought I did OK [versus Conceicao]. I got the win. That was the main goal. As far as my performance, it wasn’t my best, and I felt I could still show a lot more. It was tough because I felt the effects of my weight cut and it felt like my strength wasn’t on point like it usually is.

“We knew going in that with his experience … fighting someone just trying to survive is not always the easiest. That makes it all the more difficult.”

Muratalla said the way he feels now, he could be ready for a third fight this year, against either Stevenson or any of the 140lbs champions.

“I would want for it to happen by the end of the year. I feel good. I feel amazing,” he said, anticipating this immediate break that will include a vacation, some rest and eating.

“That [five extra pounds] matters and I can’t wait to show my skillset and power,” Muratalla said, professing readiness for his biggest bout yet.

“That’s the expectation. I’ve done all the work. I’ve done things right. I’ve got a great team behind me. So I would expect something like this to happen very soon, and I’m looking forward to it.

“I’m already getting the itch to get back in the gym.”