Shakur Stevenson Eyes Return to 135 for Muratalla’s Ring Belt

Unbeaten champion says he may return to 135 pounds to pursue the Ring Magazine belt

Shakur Stevenson says he could return to the lightweight division to chase the Ring Magazine championship. The unbeaten star also mentioned IBF titleholder Raymond Muratalla as a possible opponent.

Stevenson discussed the idea during an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience channel, where he admitted the appeal of collecting the Ring title at another weight has caught his attention. The unbeaten champion has already held Ring belts at 130 and 140 pounds and said the thought of adding the 135-pound version is something he has considered.

“This is crazy to say, but I may go back to 135 and get that Ring belt,” Shakur said. “I may. We’ll see, though. I can’t promise that I will, but I may. I like the Ring Magazine belt. I don’t know what it is about it. I always liked it. I had a Ring belt at 130, and right now I have a Ring belt at 140, but I never had a Ring belt at 135. It’s like, should I go get that Ring belt just to have it?”

The comment suggested Stevenson views the move as a realistic option if he chooses to return to lightweight. A fight at that weight would likely involve Muratalla, who has climbed the division and recently secured the biggest win of his career.

Muratalla enters the discussion after defeating Andy Cruz over twelve rounds on January 24. The bout ended in a majority decision after a competitive contest that featured sustained exchanges and physical pressure from both fighters.

That fight also highlighted Muratalla’s size and punching strength at lightweight. That fight also showed Muratalla’s size, and punching strength at lightweight. He kept coming forward for twelve rounds and forced the 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz to work the entire fight.

Stevenson has not committed to returning to lightweight. His remarks left the idea open rather than confirmed, even though the Ring belt at 135 clearly appeals to him.

Muratalla’s win over Cruz confirmed his position among the leading fighters in the division, and a fight with Stevenson would quickly draw attention if it materializes. The matchup would place Stevenson’s technical style against a larger lightweight who has already proven he can handle elite competition at the weight.