After Stevenson's Zuffa exit: mandatory challenger Muratalla demands WBO title fight
Raymond Muratalla, the WBO's No. 1 at super lightweight, wants to face Shakur Stevenson next. The WBO says it has not yet received a formal petition.
Archive image · Photo: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 br (cropped and resized)
Following Shakur Stevenson's split from Zuffa Boxing, his mandatory challenger has spoken up. "We're the mandatory challenger, and we're ready for the fight," said Robert Garcia, manager and head coach of Raymond Muratalla, according to The Ring. Unbeaten Muratalla (25-0) is the WBO's No. 1 contender at 140 pounds; he vacated his IBF lightweight title in September.
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri confirmed that Stevenson's mandatory defence is due but said: "We have not received a formal petition on behalf of Muratalla." If Stevenson goes elsewhere, Muratalla would fight for the vacant title, Garcia said.
Stevenson left Zuffa after about three months without a fight. Dana White said, according to Boxing News: "I offered him the release and they accepted. We never even did one fight with the guy."