Top Rank presses the WBO: Stevenson should defend against Muratalla
Raymond Muratalla's promoter Top Rank has asked the WBO in writing to enforce Shakur Stevenson's mandatory defence, according to Dan Rafael. An order could come this week, he reports.
Archive image · Photo: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 br (cropped and resized)
Raymond Muratalla's camp is turning up the pressure in the dispute over Shakur Stevenson's WBO super-lightweight title. "I have a copy of a letter that Top Rank sent to the WBO," boxing journalist Dan Rafael said, according to Boxing 24/7. "They asked for them to enforce the mandatory and order Shakur to defend against Ray Muratalla."
According to Rafael, the WBO is preparing such an order this week; nothing has been officially decided. MiddleEasy reports that the request is based on Muratalla's No. 1 WBO ranking and Stevenson's inactivity – his last fight was a points win over Teofimo Lopez in January.
If no deal is reached, the fight could go to a purse bid. Stevenson split from Zuffa Boxing on October 19; according to Boxing 24/7, he wants at least $15 million per fight. Muratalla is reportedly ready to sign.