By Robert Segal: Lightweight Raymond Muratalla (19-0, 16 KOs) showed that he’s a superstar in the making with eighth round knockout over Diego Torres (18-1, 18 KOs) in the chief support bout on the Top Rank on Saturday night at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Muratalla battered Torres from pillar to post, dropping him in the eighth. Referee Celestino Ruiz waived it off after Torres got back to his feet.
There’s no word on why the fight was halted, but it’s believed that Torres turning towards his corner was enough reason for the referee to stop the contest. That move could have been a sign that Torres wanted out. The time of the stoppage was at 1:45 of round eight.
The performance from the 26-year-old Muratalla consumed all the oxygen from the main event heavyweights, Efe Ajagba vs. Joe Goodall, leaving everyone to stand around and watch in awe with the way the gifted lightweight dominated the previously unbeaten knockout artist Torres.
ESPN commentator Tim Bradley was ecstatic over the performance from Muratalla, saying that he feels he could beat Keyshawn Davis and give anyone in the lightweight significant problems.
Top Rank isn’t going to allow Muratalla anywhere near the 2020 U.S. Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn, as he’s got enough problems as it is after a poor performance against Nahir Albright and a positive test for a banned substance.
“I’m here to put on a show. Every day, I’m working hard to get these opportunities. And I’m showing out,” said Muratalla. “We put in the hard work, and I’m here to take out these opponents. I can’t wait to see what’s next. I’m here to take whoever. Any champion. I hope my next fight is a title fight.”
There’s zero chance that Haney will agree to fight Muratalla because that’s a bad style match-up for him.
Good options for Muratalla’s next fight:
Jamaine Ortiz
William Zepeda
Isaac Cruz
George Kambosos Jr
Vasily Lomachenko
Frank Martin
It would be good to see Muratalla challenge for a world title in the new year, but he may have to wait until Devin Haney is stripped of some of his belts because he’s not going to return to the division to reclaim his belts unless it’s for a fight against Geronta Davis.
That’s the big payday that many believe Haney hopes to get. If he didn’t think he could get that fight, he would have vacated.
Earlier this year, Muratalla was shockingly dropped in the first round by Humberto Galindo with a right hook. He made the mistake of backing up against the ropes, and Galindo nailed him with a right hook that he never saw, and he hit the deck. Muratalla dominated the remainder of the fight, knocking out Galindo in the ninth.