Abdullaev vs Muratalla in the works for interim IBF lightweight title

Zaur Abdullaev and Raymond Muratalla are negotiating an interim title fight, which could turn into the real thing if Vasiliy Lomachenko retires

While IBF lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko waffles on whether to continue his career, RCC Boxing announced that no. 2 Zaur Abdullaev and no. 4 Raymond Muratalla are in talks to meet for the interim title.

Abdullaev (20-1, 12 KO) fell off the map after a 2019 stoppage loss to Devin Haney, but he’s acquitted himself nicely, winning nine straight with notable victories over Zhora Hamazaryan, Jorge Linares, Jovanni Straffon, Roman Andreev, and most recently Juan Javier Carrasco in a final eliminator.

Muratalla (22-0, 17 KO) picked up an iffy but very well-aged win over Tevin Farmer in July before obliterating unheralded Jesus Perez in November. He should make for an excellent fight with Abdullaev, with the added bonus of potentially setting up an all-Top Rank unification if Lomachenko retires and Keyshawn Davis beats Denys Berinchyk for the WBO belt next month.

We’ll keep you posted as the bout comes together.