Raymond Muratalla
Danger
Bio
Raymond Muratalla is an unbeaten former IBF lightweight world champion from West Covina, California. A Mexican-American pressure fighter with an educated jab and a punishing body attack, he came through the Top Rank system as one of the most avoided prospects at 135 before making the step up to world level.
He won the IBF interim lightweight title by unanimous decision in May 2025 and was elevated to full world champion when the previous title holder retired. In January 2026 he made his first defence, a hard-fought majority decision over Cuban Olympic champion Andy Cruz, and followed it with a unanimous decision in his second defence in August.
In September 2026, Muratalla vacated the IBF lightweight title to move up to super lightweight and target the champions there — a division that includes Dalton Smith, Shakur Stevenson and interim WBC champion Isaac Cruz, with the IBF belt at 140 currently vacant.
At 29 and 25-0 with 17 knockouts, Muratalla is one of the best fighters in the world without a signature name on his record. Luke's pick for his first big fight at the weight is Britain's Dalton Smith.