MORENO VALLEY, California – Raymond Muratalla isn’t one to rely on new-age mind games.

The unbeaten lightweight who could be one victory away from joining Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Keyshawn Davis as a world champion in the division knows others lean into visualization, manifesting and meditation.

Muratalla, 22-0 (17 KOs), would rather go run hills, spar extra rounds and push himself that extra bit that may achieve the reserve energy necessary to achieve his dream.

Fittingly, when Muratalla noticed a reporter waiting for an interview inside the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy recently, he paused to ask, “Do you mind if I do this [hitting a heavy bag] for one more round?”

With veteran three-division champion Vasiliy Lomachenko sidelined by a back injury, Muratalla, 28, can claim the IBF interim lightweight title May 10 in San Diego when he meets Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev 20-1 (12 KOs) in the co-main event of an ESPN card.

If Lomachenko can’t fight by October, the May 10 winner elevates to full champion.  

“It’s hard when you’re so driven. I’ve got so much ambition in me. I love to train, love to improve and get better at all of the little stuff,” Muratalla said. “All of that matters to me, so it’s funny when they tell me to relax and chill and take a day off. I want it so bad, it’s hard to rest.”

Muratalla’s relentless effort is vivid during his sparring sessions, when he astutely observes openings that his fast hands exploit with scoring and hurtful punches.

The production is double-jointed because Muratalla displays sharp focus to defense, swiftly slipping to his left, right and into reverse to avoid any serious damage.

“I’m observing, I’m analyzing everything my opponent’s doing. I’m waiting to move in and put myself in position to unload punches,” Muratalla said. “I work to capitalize on my speed, and out-smart my opponent. It’s worked out so far.” 

In Abdullaev, Muratalla trainer Robert Garcia sees glimpses of the fighter’s impressive and brutal countryman, IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev.

“Also very strong, one of those guys who keep coming, like [Murtazaliev],” Garcia said of Abdullaev. The fight’s not going to be easy.

“But Raymond’s too fast. Raymond has very good speed, footwork, angles, so we work on that. We don’t want to make a fight that’s a war, toe-to-toe, in front of each other in a fight that benefits our opponent. The angles, the counterpunches and especially the speed can make all the difference.”

Muratalla has scouted a few of Abdullaev’s bouts and admires his toughness. He then yields to his trainers for the fuller breakdown.

“My trainers sit there and watch him. We look at opponents and watch their style and see where we can find openings. We’re prepared for that,” Muratalla said.

Uncertain if Lomachenko will retire, Muratalla is treating this bout as a world-title bout that falls nearly a year after he saw stablemate Giovanni Santillan lose an interim welterweight title bout one year ago in May to now-reigning WBC champion Brian Norman Jnr.

“I’ve watched Lomachenko’s whole career. He was amazing. It’s crazy to think I’m in this position now from all the work I’ve put in. But I’m not looking past my opponent. I’ve got to get past him to get to those big fights,” Muratalla said.

“I can’t wait. This is something I really want, something I’ve been working toward my entire life. After this fight, I hope everything plays out the right way and I’ll be calling out for those big fights I’ve always wanted.”

Garcia recently witnessed Muratalla grind through a demanding week and he advised his fighter to rest through the weekend and return “fresh for Monday.”

“He’s one of the most dedicated fighters in my gym – so dedicated that we need to slow him down,” Garcia said. “[Muratalla’s] dad says, ‘For sure, he’s going to run the mountains.’”

Muratalla said the blame – or credit – for that exhaustive push is his father, Gabriel Muratalla, and mother Monica Santana.

Raised in the blue-collar Southern California town of Fontana, Muratalla watched his father make a living in air conditioning and maintenance positions while his mother matched the work ethic as a Los Angeles County probation officer.

“They both worked so hard to give us everything we wanted. Day in, day out. Growing up in that environment – it transitioned over to me,” Muratalla said. “To be the first world champion to ever come out of Fontana, that’d be huge.”

If it takes getting through Abdullaev and Lomachenko to do so, Muratalla wants to step up the challenge and press himself to defeat the likes of Stevenson, Gervonta Davis and Keyshawn Davis. 

“That’s the goal, man. I’m really looking forward to all of these greatest fights,” Muratalla said. “I really want them. And the fans would like them, too.”

He doesn’t plan to envision those bouts into reality, however.

He’ll instead put in the sweat equity necessary to declare himself ready for the tasks.

“I just put the work in and let it come naturally,” Muratalla said. “It’ll mean a lot to my gym, my family, my city. It’s something I’ve worked on my whole life … all of these hours I’ve put into training, trying to be great.”