WBO Orders Stevenson to Face Mandatory Challenger Muratalla

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri ordered super lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson to face mandatory challenger Raymond Muratalla following a petition from Top Rank. WBO championship committee chairman Luis Batista Salas set a November 16 deadline for the sides to reach mutually acceptable terms.

If no agreement is reached by the deadline, the bout will go to a purse bid allowing all promoters to submit offers.

An official close to Shakur Stevenson said the super lightweight champion is interested in facing Raymond Muratalla. An official close to the negotiations said DAZN and Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions are “trying to secure a deal” for Stevenson.

Stevenson is 25-0 with 11 knockouts. He has not fought since his victory over Teofimo Lopez on January 31.

Muratalla is 25-0 with 17 knockouts and is an unbeaten former lightweight champion. He successfully defended his IBF belt against Robson Conceicao in August.

Zuffa Boxing, headed by Dana White and Nick Khan, previously signed Stevenson. The promotion failed to secure a fight following negotiations involving Manny Pacquiao and Devin Haney. One official said not to expect Zuffa Boxing to return to business with Stevenson.

Negotiations between Stevenson and WBA champion Gary Antuanne Russell fell through, reportedly for financial reasons.

Top Rank will determine the purse for Stevenson’s next fight unless he vacates the WBO super lightweight title. An individual said of Stevenson’s market value, “It’ll be interesting to see what his market value is.”

Do you think Stevenson will face Muratalla by the November 16 deadline, or will the fight go to a purse bid?