Raymond “Danger” Muratalla and Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev both hit the Pechanga Arena scale on Friday looking razor‑sharp - 134.4 lbs for the hometown favorite, 134.6 lbs for the visitor - confirming today's 12‑round clash for the vacant IBF interim lightweight title in San Diego.
The stakes stretch well beyond an interim strap. Reigning champion Vasiliy Lomachenko remains sidelined by a back injury and has been granted a final IBF medical extension that expires October 8; if he cannot defend by then, Saturday’s winner will be upgraded to full champion.
Top Rank boss Bob Arum admits even he is in the dark: “I have no idea if Lomachenko is coming back,” he told BoxingScene, while Hall‑of‑Fame matchmaker Brad Goodman suspects the 37‑year‑old Ukrainian may walk away for good.
Watch the weigh-in recap: Watch
Muratalla has rattled off highlight wins over Tevin Farmer and Jesús Perez and finally gets a title chance in his home state. Abdullaev hasn’t lost since Devin Haney stopped him in 2019, stacking nine straight victories including knockouts of Jorge Linares and Juan Javier Carrasco, to earn this shot. Both fighters insist they prepared for “an action‑packed dogfight,” with Abdullaev grinding through a mountain camp and Muratalla promising “the start of the Muratalla era.”
With Gervonta “Tank” Davis tied up in an August rematch and Lomachenko undecided, Saturday feels like a coronation in waiting. The winner will leave San Diego with a belt and perhaps an entire division’s future in his gloves.