Garcia makes his intentions clear
“How about a fight in Southern California between Raymond Muratalla and Camaron Zepeda this summer? @GoldenBoyBoxing @trboxing,” Garcia wrote.
The timing of Garcia’s message reflects the strength of Muratalla’s position following his major decision win over Andy Cruz on January 24th. Cruz entered undefeated and highly respected after winning the 2020 Olympic gold, but Muratalla’s attack forced two judges to give him the decision. That result raised the status of Muratalla and put him in another group of discussions in the group.
Zepeda, who built his reputation through hard work and consistent performance, is coming off a unanimous decision over Shakur Stevenson last July in Queensland. The failure did not diminish his credibility as his approach forced Stevenson into trades he would normally have avoided.
Take a Style Test
Zepeda attacked the body quickly and repeatedly, forcing Stevenson to spend extended stretches on the ropes while unleashing constant offense. A replay of the third round showed Stevenson hitting the canvas after a jab, although the knockout was not officially confirmed.
Garcia’s style pits Muratalla against each other in a different way. Muratalla relies on timing and power, while Zepeda forces opponents to move at a high speed over twelve rounds. That difference requires Muratalla to answer questions he has yet to face.
Congratulations to the promoters
The fact that the promotion adds urgency because Muratalla fights under Top Rank while Zepeda is promoted by Golden Boy, forcing the two competing companies to agree before the opportunity goes elsewhere. Garcia’s public message clears up any uncertainty about his status and signals that Muratalla’s team is ready to go straight for the match.
Zepeda remains near the top of the WBC rankings and can point to a variety of boxing opportunities, which increases the timing of any deal. Garcia doesn’t make too many demands, and this reads like a deliberate move to set up a fight that could quickly shed light on Muratalla’s status in the division.