IBF Lightweight Champion Vasyl Lomachenko has suffered a back injury and is unavailable to defend his title in the near future. Lomachenko was granted an IBF medical exemption. This move has opened the door for the IBF to order Zaur Abdulleav vs Raymond Muratalla for the Interim Title.
Lomachenko 36, 18-3 12KO's, captured the vacant IBF title in May 2024 by stopping George Kambosos in the 11th round. Shortly afterwards the fight, PBC and Top Rank had plans for a lightweight unification between Lomachenko and WBA Champion Gervonta Davis for November 2024. Lomachenko decided to forgo this opportunity to focus on his family in Ukraine.
Zaur Abdulleav 30, 20-1 12KO's, is currently on a nine fight winning streak since suffering a TKO loss to Devin Haney in 2019. During this streak, Abdulleav has defeated some good names. Former champions Dejan Zlaticanin, Jorge Linares and Roger Gutierrez. In October 2024, Abdulleav defeated Juan Javier Carrasco by TKO12 for an IBF eliminator. Ironically, Abdulleav and Lomachenko has the same manager Egis Klimas.
Raymond Muratalla 27, 22-0 17KOs, is the highest available IBF lightweight contender to fight Abdulleav. Muratalla went 3-0 in 2024 defeating Xolisani Ndongeni, Tevin Farmer and Rey Perez. Muratalla has been active under the guidance for 2024 trainer of the Robert Garcia.
IBF Lightweight Status Letter: (See Below)
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