Raymond Muratalla vs Zaur Abdullaev Predictions: Is ‘Danger’ in peril with Abdullaev?

Raymond Muratalla gets his first sniff of a version of the world title when he takes on Zaur Abdullaev for the IBF interim featherweight championship this Saturday, May 10. The bout serves as the co-feature to Emanuel Navarrete’s WBO super featherweight title defence against Charly Suarez. The fight takes place at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. Sky Sports Action will show the event live.

Here are Raymond Muratalla vs. Zaur Abdullaev predictions ahead of this fascinating featherweight fight.

Raymond Muratalla vs. Zaur Abdullaev Odds

Muratalla is out in front at 2/13. Abdullaev has a job on his hands at 21/5. If honours are even at the end, the draw is 20/1.

 Raymond Muratalla vs. Zaur Abdullaev Fight Preview

I have long believed in Muratalla’s capabilities, which has led to some recent success in tipping his fights. He did indeed become the first person to stop Jesus Perez, doing so in two rounds. I also had him a points winner over tricky former world champion Tevin Farmer, a prediction he dutifully fulfilled. 

I will endeavour to keep the streak going on that score. But what of this fight for the ‘Danger’ man?

As is often the case when it comes at the elite level, opponent Abdullaev is best-known for a loss. The biggest name on his record is Devin Haney, who had little trouble taking him apart in four rounds of a WBC interim title fight. 

There is no shame in losing to ‘The Dream’ who has never legitimately lost a professional bout. But even then, there are caveats for Abdullaev. Haney was in his 23rd pro fight while the Russian was making just his 12th appearance in the paid ranks. 

The fight also took place six years ago, a lifetime in boxing terms. When that loss occurred, Jake Paul had never laced up a boxing glove, Manny Pacquiao was still fighting and Andy Ruiz Jr. was the heavyweight champion of the world.

Abdullaev, now a wiser 31 years of age, hasn’t lost since. The Russian can boast wins over legendary former lightweight king Jorge Linares, ex-title challenger Dejan Zlaticanin and danger man Jovanni Straffon in that time. This is a fighter who has done the work when it comes to earning a world title shot.

This isn’t quite one of those. The IBF interim championship is a bit of a silver medal, but it does open the door to a lucrative showdown with real champion Vasiliy Lomachenko. ‘The Matrix’ is a legendary figure who once topped the pound-for-pound list. Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney have exposed some of his flaws in recent years, though the latter was perhaps lucky to get the decision. But Lomachenko remains one of the sport’s biggest names and, as evidenced by his 11 rounds of destruction against George Kambobos Jr. last time out, a formidable foe.

Lomachenko is the sort of fight that Muratalla needs, certainly. 28 years of age and 22-0, the Californian is leaving the prospect phase of his development. That much was clear when he outscored the wily Farmer. Muratalla certainly had an easier time of doing so than fellow lightweight hope William Zepeda did in Tevin’s following bout. That one was close and controversial enough to warrant a rematch, with Farmer even knocking Zepeda down in the fourth.

Abdullaev is another awkward, unwieldy test. The sort of fight in which you prove there is more to your game than pummeling hand-picked foes who probably have nothing flashier than “Opponent” scrawled on their dressing room door.

Muratalla needs fights like this but then so does Abdullaev. He has earned a crack at putting himself in the world title picture. Haney is in the rearview mirror now and the Russian has not put a foot wrong since. He’s the underdog, but that does not mean he isn’t a risk for Muratalla.

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Raymond Muratalla vs. Zaur Abdullaev Prediction

I think Muratalla should have enough in his game to get this done. The key will be concentration. While Abdullaev is not a brutal puncher, his timing catches opponents at exactly the right time to put them down and often out.

Muratalla is another fighter who relies on timing. See the short shot that put Perez down in his last fight. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Bombs away? Or a tactical chess match? While fans would prefer the former, I am predicting the latter.

I think this will be tentative, at least early while the men size each other up. The first full-blooded shot could open the floodgates, or it could cause a recalculation. I think this fight will be won with the mind as much as the glove.

I’m picking Muratalla to win by decision. I think Farmer gave him a doctorate in how to deal with an awkward world-class opponent who won’t go anywhere and keeps firing unconventional shots at you. Muratalla on points is available at 2/1.

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