Raymond Muratalla has announced his intention to step up to the 140-pound light-welterweight division following his recent victory against Robson Conceição. The IBF lightweight champion is targeting a potential matchup with Shakur Stevenson for his next bout.
Muratalla secured a wide 12-round decision over Conceição in Las Vegas to maintain his position at lightweight. However, the physical strain of reaching the 135-pound limit left him feeling below his optimum condition inside the ring. Speaking to ProBox TV, he acknowledged that cutting weight stripped away some of his natural strength. “I felt the effects of just like the weight cut. Didn’t feel my strongest. Everything wasn’t on point like it usually is,” Muratalla explained.
Making the lightweight limit has never been easy for the contender throughout his recent camps. Stepping up five pounds to the 140-pound division is designed to lessen those severe physical demands, allowing him to conserve stamina and punch with greater authority. “That’s one thing I’m looking forward to. I’ve started to feel that in the ring. So I think it’s about that time to move up and feel a lot better and perform a lot better, too.”
No formal announcement has been made regarding the status of his IBF lightweight title. Furthermore, no fight details have been finalized with promoter Top Rank.
Despite the absence of a fixed schedule, Muratalla has made his ultimate target clear. A long-discussed showdown against Shakur Stevenson remains the fight he wants most as he makes his transition into light-welterweight competition. “I think it only makes sense now. Something we’ve been wanting and just never goes through. I think at this point, that’d be something that the fans would love to see.”
Muratalla believes his tactical adaptability will present Stevenson with a test unlike any encountered in his previous bouts. “He’s never faced a fighter like me. I think it’s going to put out a good fight for the boxing fans. It’s definitely a fight that’s going to be competitive, a challenging fight and something that boxing needs.” Should a matchup with Stevenson fail to materialize, Muratalla insists he will pursue the remaining champions at 140 pounds to secure immediate title opportunities.
