Raymond Muratalla considers Gervonta Davis the best lightweight in the world, predicts a KO against Vasiliy Lomachenko

Undefeated lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla is determined to make a name for himself in the talent-rich 135-pound class.

Muratalla (20-0, 16 KOs) will face former world champion Tevin Farmer (33-5-1, 8 KOs) on July 13 at a Top Rank on ESPN event at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The Californian hopes a victory will put him one step closer to a world title fight – against one of the best in the division.

In a recent interview with BoxingScene.com, Muratalla, 27, named boxing superstar and WBA 135-pound world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis as the best lightweight in the world and believed he could beat IBF counterpart Vasiliy Lomachenko if their potential November unification fight were to take place.

“If I had to rank the best lightweights in the world right now, I think Tank is first, then (WBC champion) Shakur Stevenson, then Lomachenko and then (IBF champion) Denis Berinchyk,” Muratalla said.

“The fight between Tank and Loma will be good, and I think if Loma can box the whole fight, he can do something. But overall, I think Tank will win. I think his power will be too much for Lomachenko in the later rounds of the fight.”

Muratalla, ranked No. 2 by the WBC and WBO in the lightweight division, is eager to put himself in the mix for these high-level fights. “I’m ready to face any of the four champions in the division. I think my power can easily change a fight, and it would be another great fight with Tank if that happens.”

“Shakur is another fighter we want, and as long as he’s with Top Rank, we can definitely make that happen,” Muratalla said. “WBC or WBO are fine with me. I’ll take either one of those offers.”

Muratalla was also challenged by undefeated lightweights Keyshawn Davis and William Zepeda.

On a possible fight against the phenomenon Davis (11-0, 7 KOs), Muratalla said: “I like Davis. I want to fight him too, but it all depends on Top Rank to organize the fight, and I hope we can organize that for the fans.”

As for the hard-hitting Zepeda (30-0, 26 KOs), Muratalla feels he doesn’t bring enough to the table.

“I don’t think Zepeda can bother me with his counterattacking abilities because I think I’m too big, too strong, too fast and too quick. My ring IQ is different than those guys, and I’m looking forward to showing it when I face them.”

Muratalla’s skills could bring him success in the ring, but he believes he will have to do more to get the kind of recognition and attention he feels he deserves.

“It seems like I have to say more negative things to get myself known. I think that’s what I’m missing, and I have to start doing it more to get fights,” he said.

“I’ve always been a practical guy. I started boxing at a very young age and I’ve always trained hard because it’s a dangerous sport. I think I’ve made it. I hope I get that chance before the champions in the division unifications. I deserve to be in that conversation.”

Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist specializing in boxing coverage. He has written a boxing column called “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. You can contact him on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and by email at [email protected].