Raymond Muratalla and his coach Robert Garcia don’t perceive why Shakur Stevenson is selecting to defend his WBC light-weight title in opposition to #8 Artem Harutyunyan, a fighter coming off a loss, for Shakur’s subsequent combat on July sixth on the Prudential Middle in Newark, New Jersey.
The Harutyunyan combat nonetheless hasn’t been formally confirmed by Prime Rank, however many imagine that is the one that’s occurring subsequent for Shakur.
Muratalla Feels Neglected
#2 WBC Muratalla (19-0, 16 KOs) feels that he needs to be subsequent for Shakur to combat on July sixth quite than in opposition to a fighter, Harutyunyan, who’s coming off a 12-round unanimous determination to Frank Martin final July.
It sends the fallacious message for a world champion like Shakur to disregard the highly-ranked Muratalla and defend in opposition to a man coming off a loss.
What makes it look particularly dangerous is Shakur is coming off a dreadful efficiency in his final combat in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos final November in a conflict that many felt he misplaced.
Within the aftermath, Stevenson, 26, blamed his poor effort on a hand, shoulder, and weight drain downside. If that have been the case, Shakur ought to have given De Los Santos a rematch to indicate followers what he may do when 100% wholesome. As an alternative of dealing with Muratalla or doing that, Shakur defends in opposition to Harutyunyan.
Muratalla is preventing tonight in opposition to Xolisani Ndongeni (31-4, 18 KOs) in a ten-round bout on the undercard of Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson on ESPN+ on the Desert Diamond Area in Glendale, Arizona.
“Completely. I don’t know why he’s preventing a man that misplaced his final combat [Artem Harutyunyan] when he may combat me. I’m right here. We’re in the identical promotion [Top Rank], so I don’t know why I’m not an possibility,” mentioned Raymond Muratalla to Okay.O. Kristy about WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson selecting to combat the just lately overwhelmed Artem Harutyunyan for his title protection on July sixth.
“He [Shakur] realizes I’m a risk within the division, so Prime Rank must match us collectively. It’s a giant combat, it’s an incredible combat. I do know it’s not going to be simple. I’m right here to take over the 135-lb division, so it’s going to be bother for him.
Robert Garcia: “Pound-for-pound fighters ought to combat the perfect”
“From what I perceive, he’s preventing a man that misplaced his final combat,” mentioned Robert Garcia, the coach for Raymond Muratalla, to Tru College Sports activities on X about Shakur Stevenson, who’s rumored to be preventing just lately overwhelmed Artem Harutyunyan on July sixth in Newark, New Jersey.
“So, how can a pound-for-pound fighter select to combat a man that misplaced his final combat? In case you’re pound-for-pound the perfect, you bought to combat the perfect. That’s who try to be preventing. Actually, I don’t see why they might even think about that in opposition to a man that misplaced his final combat,” mentioned Robert.
Raymond Muratalla was supplied @TeofimoLopez for this date. Seeing how not one of the 135 champs are keen to combat Raymond we mentioned sure. Didnt hesitate. And that is what they select? https://t.co/8cGGQADrmH
— Robert Garcia Boxing (@GarciaBoxing) March 29, 2024