Raymond Muratalla dominates Zaur Abdullaev and secures the IBF interim world title – world title fight against Vasiliy Lomachenko in prospect.
Raymond Muratalla (23-0, 17 knockouts) secured the IBF interim world title last night at the Pachanga Arena in San Diego, California. The undefeated US-American won by unanimous decision against the Russian challenger Zaur Abdullaev (20-2, 12 knockouts). Muratalla dominated the fight from the outset and underpinned his performance with clear scores from the judges, who scored the fight 118-110 and twice 119-109.
The 28-year-old boxed tactically clever from a distance, used an extended jab and fired short, precise punches through the middle. Muratalla also worked skillfully in the infight, landing left hooks and right hands around Abdullaev’s guard before manoeuvring himself out of the danger zone again with clever footwork.
Abdullaev tried to exert more pressure from the middle of the fight onwards, but Muratalla proved to be too agile and technically superior, so that the Russian was hardly able to land any clear strikes.
With this victory, Muratalla has positioned himself as the official IBF mandatory challenger for Vasiliy Lomachenko’s world title. Lomachenko had secured the vacant title in May with a T.K.O. victory in the eleventh round against Australian George Kambosos Jr. “He was a tough opponent. He came to fight. I knew that,” said Muratalla after the fight. “I just used my skills, took him apart and won every round.”
“I am now the mandatory challenger for [IBF champion] Vasiliy Lomachenko. This is the fight we want. It would be an honor to fight him and have his name on my resume. I’m looking forward to this challenge.”