Raymond Muratalla Believes Champs at 135 Deem Him a Threat
Unbeaten lightweight Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (22-0, 17 KOs) is on the cusp of a world title opportunity. He feels that his next fight should be for a world championship. But according to Danger, he thinks the world champions at 135 are running scared.
BELIEVING HIS TIME IS NOW
Muratalla is coming off an impressive third-round stoppage over Jesus Antonio Perez on November 2 in Verona, New York. Afterward, Danger spoke exclusively with the news outlet FightHype and made his case on why he deserves to fight the elites in the division.
“I needed a big statement to prove that I’m here in the 135 division, and I’m calling out those champions. . . . I’m putting in the work. I’m making statements. What are they going to say now? I want the champions.”
The first preference for the 27-year-old is a fight with stablemate and the reigning WBO champion, Denys Berinchyk. However, Muratalla is open to face any of the world champions. Danger has not been shy about calling the champions out. When asked why those fights have yet to happen, the resident of Fontana, California said the following:
“They’re scared to lose. They don’t want to lose. I think they’re scared to lose. But this is the fight game; this is what we fight for. I don’t know why. They don’t want to fight.”
ALL HE WANTS IS THE OPPORTUNITY
Muratalla is currently ranked number two by the WBC and WBO. His resume shows a July 2024 win over former IBF 130-pound champion Tevin Farmer. If talent and resume count for anything, Danger is deserving of a title shot. He has proven that he’s just as good as other top world-rated challengers Floyd Schofield, Keyshawn Davis, and William Zepeda, currently ranked number one by all four sanctioning bodies. However, Muratalla doesn’t have the high profile of these fighters.
Professional boxing is about positioning, who is available, and what makes business sense. WBA champion Gervonta Davis plans to fight reigning WBA 130-pound champion Lamont Roach in January 2025. WBC champion Shakur Stevenson is currently recovering from hand surgery. WBO champion Denis Berinchyk could be in line to face the winner of the November 8 battle between Keyshawn Davis and Gustavo Lemos.
IBF champion Vasyl Lomachenko is contemplating retirement. At this point, the best option for Muratalla is for Lomachenko to retire. That would leave Danger open to fight for the vacant IBF belt.
You don’t see any world champions actively seeking out a fight with Muratalla. That’s because he can beat anyone in the division. That makes him a legitimate threat. But in this money-making business, the champions will likely view him as an afterthought because they don’t see the financial incentive to face him. In short, they will likely continue to look the other way until Muratalla becomes a mandatory challenger. As a result, Danger will have no option but to patiently wait.
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