With former titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko hanging up the gloves over the weekend, the IBF introduced at this time that interim champion Raymond Muratalla “has formally been elevated” to full beltholder.
Per the IBF, his first obligatory protection will pit him in opposition to the winner of this Saturday’s last eliminator between Andy Cruz and Hironori Mishiro, the latter of whom had his identify misspelled within the press launch. Nice work, guys.
Muratalla (23-0, 17 KO) claimed his belt with a large resolution over earlier obligatory challenger Zaur Abdullaev final month, which ostensibly satisfies his obligatory obligation for the subsequent yr. Lomachenko had not defended his belt since taking out George Kambosos Jr of their Could 2024 vacant title combat.
The unhealthy information for Muratalla is that he missed out on a big-money all-Prime-Rank unification when Keyshawn Davis spent the weekend crashing out. The excellent news is that the WBO is reportedly gearing as much as order Sam Noakes vs Abdullah Mason for Davis’ previous belt and, if this goes via and Mason wins, they need to have time to arrange Muratalla vs Mason earlier than Cruz comes calling.
