Raymond Muratalla vs Robson Conceicao

Raymond Muratalla is the younger, fresher champion, unbeaten and starting to look like a real lightweight player. Robson Conceicao is long in the tooth now, but don’t dismiss him. Olympic gold medal, world title experience, awkward rhythm, he’s been around too many big nights to just fall over because the bookies say so.

Muratalla is compact, strong and tidy. He likes to push you back, get his feet set, and let sharp, heavy combinations go. Conceicao is completely different stylistically: tall, loose, rangy, and horrible to look good against when he gets moving.

Muratalla’s edge is pressure with purpose. If he cuts the ring off, works the body and doesn’t follow in straight lines, he’ll take Conceicao’s legs away. Conceicao’s chance is making it messy, nick rounds, spoil Muratalla’s rhythm, grab, turn, jab and frustrate.

But at lightweight, against a younger champion with a better engine, I think Conceicao gets worn down. He’ll have clever moments, but not enough of them.

Prediction: Raymond Muratalla wins by unanimous decision.