Ryota Murata’s designation as super champion at middleweight could set up some fights with the division’s biggest names, according to the Japanese fighter.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez gave up the belt last week as he moved to super middleweight to fight Callum Smith.
Murata first became the WBA regular middleweight champion in 2017 and won the belt back in 2019 from Rob Brant, who had defeated him in October 2018. The 34-year-old veteran has a record of 16 professional fights with 13 knockouts, and two defeats.
While Murata was surprised to be given the “super” designation, he hopes that his prominence could help him make a fight with another champion. Gennadiy Golovkin holds the IBF and IBO belts, Demetrius Andrade is the WBO champion, and Jermall Charlo represents the WBC.
“It feels a little strange to receive this news when I haven’t been able to fight due to the coronavirus pandemic,” admitted Murata.
“But I take it positively, as it will give me a better shot at a title unification bout with a champion from another organization.”