Ryota Murata (16-2, 13 KOs) became the super WBA middleweight champion. Previously, the Japanese had a regular World Boxing Association belt, and Saul Alvarez was the super champion.
The Mexican recently left his middleweight title vacant and plans to hold next fights in the super middleweight division. The date of the return to the ring of the Japanese is still unknown. Murata, 34, is considered one of the candidates for a meeting with Gennady Golovkin in May.
Murata last fought a year ago, winning by TKO in the fifth round against Stephen Butler. The Tokyo-based WBA belt holder has held his title since July 2019.
