Adjust or get beat.
Raymond Muratalla has embraced that mindset, which has led him to a world title belt and attempting to stake a claim of being the best lightweight in boxing.
Muratalla will make another defense of the IBF lightweight title when he faces challenger Robson Conceicao of Brazil on Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Virgins Hotel in Las Vegas. The 12-round bout will precede the main event bout between lightweight contenders William Zepeda and Lamont Roach.
Both fights will stream live on TNT and DAZN, beginning at 5 p.m.
Muratalla (24-0, 17 knockouts), who resides in the Los Angeles suburb of Fontana, defeated Andy Cruz by unanimous decision in his last bout on Jan. 24. Cruz was an amateur standout who won a gold medal for Cuba at the 2021
Olympics in Tokyo.
The 29-year-old will get no easy challenger in Conceicao (21-3-1, 10 KOs), who also won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and is a former world titleholder at 130 pounds.
Muratalla said he has had to make adjustments to improve his skill-set, but those adjustments has also made him a better overall fighter, regardless of the type of opponents he faces.
“(Saturday) is going to be a challenge,” Muratalla told The Star in a recent interview. “He has experience and he’s faced some of the best fighters. Both our styles make for a good fight. I’m fully prepared and I think Saturday will be a great night for the fans.
“I’ve gained a lot of experience with each fight. There’s always something to learn. I’ve had to adjust. My focus, staying disciplined, and listening to my corner makes things easier for me to execute the game plan.”
That corner includes head trainer Robert Garcia, who is a 1993 Channel Islands High School graduate and became Oxnard’s first pro boxing champion.
If it is not Garcia working mitts with Muratalla, it is Garcia’s oldest son, Robert “Pita” Garcia Jr., former fighter-turned-trainer Felipe Campa, or Gabriel Muratalla, father of Raymond.
Muratalla is grateful for the team behind him and training alongside some of the best fighters in the sport at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Moreno Valley, including Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, junior middleweight contender Vergil Ortiz Jr., and featherweight contender Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez.
“Having Robert in my corner has been nothing but great,” said Muratalla, who was elevated to full IBF lightweight titleholder after defeating Zaur Abdullaev by decision on May 10, 2025. “He’s been a huge help in my career. Everyone in that gym is smart. Robert and his team want us (fighters) to get to the top. It’s been a great ride.
“Every fighter at that gym has the same goal. We all pick up on the energy of everyone in that gym. It helps a lot. It’s motivating to be a part of Robert’s gym.”
Muratalla is not only grateful to Garcia and his team, but also someone close to him.
Older brother Gabriel Muratalla has also been a motivating force. Gabriel is also a prizefighter, compiling a record of 13-0, 4 KOs as a junior featherweight prospect.
Gabriel Muratalla is also a preschool teacher in Fontana.
Having his brother by his side, in and out of the ring, means a great deal to Raymond.
“(Gabriel) is a big part of my career. He’s been there since Day 1,” Raymond said. “He’s probably why I’m here. Ever since I was little, he has always been bigger than me and stronger than me. I’ve seen his example of hard work and I thank him for that. He’s been a part of my journey, helping me to get to this point. I know he always there and wants the best for me.”
Also in action Saturday in Las Vegas will be welterweight contender Raul Curiel (17-0-1, 13 KOs), who is also trained by Garcia.
The Guadalajara resident and 2016 Olympian for Mexico will square off against Quinton Randall (17-3-1, 4 KOs) of Houston in a 10-round bout.
Francisco A. Salazar covers boxing for The Star. He has also covered boxing for Ring Magazine, Boxingscene and Fightnews. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at FSalazarBoxing.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Raymond Muratalla will defend title in Las Vegas on Aug. 1
