With former titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko hanging up the gloves over the weekend, the IBF announced today that interim champion Raymond Muratalla “has officially been elevated” to full beltholder.

Per the IBF, his first mandatory defense will pit him against the winner of this Saturday’s final eliminator between Andy Cruz and Hironori Mishiro, the latter of whom had his name misspelled in the press release. Great work, guys.

Muratalla (23-0, 17 KO) claimed his belt with a wide decision over previous mandatory challenger Zaur Abdullaev last month, which ostensibly satisfies his mandatory obligation for the next year. Lomachenko had not defended his belt since taking out George Kambosos Jr in their May 2024 vacant title fight.

The bad news for Muratalla is that he missed out on a big-money all-Top-Rank unification when Keyshawn Davis spent the weekend crashing out. The good news is that the WBO is reportedly gearing up to order Sam Noakes vs Abdullah Mason for Davis’ old belt and, if this goes through and Mason wins, they should have time to set up Muratalla vs Mason before Cruz comes calling.