Raymond Muratalla has evolved to an exceptional boxer-puncher.
He is also making a case for being one of, if not, the best fighter at 135 pounds.
Muratalla defeated Robson Conceicao by unanimous decision on Aug. 1 at The Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas. Scores were 119-109, 119-109 and 118-110 for Muratalla, who improved to 25-0, with 17 KOs, and successfully defended the IBF lightweight title.
From the opening bell, Muratalla landed the more-effective punches. He varied his offense, working behind a consistent jab and landing combinations to the head and body of Conceicao.
Any time Conceicao attempted to mount an offense, Muratalla forced Conceicao to fight defensively off his back foot.
Robert Garcia, who trains Muratalla, told The Star that the plan
leading up to the fight was to break Conceicao down and get the stoppage win.
“We were looking for the knockout,” said Garcia, who is a 1993 Channel Islands High School graduate and Oxnard’s first pro boxing champion. “Conceicao was an awkward and difficult opponent. I think it was a great performance (by Muratalla).”
In a post-fight interview with Chris Mannix of DAZN, Muratalla said it was likely his last fight at lightweight, prompting a move up to 140 pounds.
Garcia clarified Muratalla’s options are open to anything.
“That’s the plan,” said Garcia, who has been Muratalla’s trainer throughout most of his pro career. “We are not relinquishing the IBF title yet. There’s also an opportunity to unify against (William) Zepeda.”
In the main event of the card, William Zepeda (34-1, 27 KOs) of Mexico defeated Lamont Roach (25-2-3, 10 KOs) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, by unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC lightweight title.
Conceicao falls to 21-4-1, 10 KOs. The 37-year-old won a gold medal for Brazil at the 2016 Olympic Games and is a former WBC junior lightweight titleholder.
Also on the card, welterweight contender Raul Curiel defeated Quinton Randall by unanimous decision. One judge submitted a card of 95-95, while the other two judges scored the bout 97-93 and 100-90 for Curiel, who improved to 18-0-1, 14 KOs.
Curiel, who represented Mexico at the 2016 Olympic Games, is also trained by Garcia.
Randall, who resides in Houston, falls to 17-4-1, 4 KOs.
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: Garcia-trained Muratalla stays perfect by beating Conceicao
