The WBO has ordered junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) to begin negotiations with mandatory challenger Raymond Muratalla (25-0, 17 KOs).
The sanctioning body imposed a deadline of 20 days for both parties to reach an agreement. Its World Championships Committee unanimously approved the order, with purse bids a possible next step if the fighters cannot agree to terms.
Stevenson, 29, has not fought since January 31, when he defeated Teofimo Lopez by unanimous decision to capture the WBO and Ring Magazine titles at 140 pounds.
Muratalla, also 29, vacated his IBF lightweight championship in September to move up to junior welterweight, where he became the WBO’s No. 1-ranked contender.
His promoter, Top Rank, formally petitioned the WBO last week to enforce Stevenson’s mandatory obligation. Muratalla previously defended his lightweight title against Andy Cruz and Robson Conceicao in 2026.
The order comes days after Stevenson was released from his exclusive contract with Zuffa Boxing, having failed to make his promotional debut with that organization. Negotiations for a proposed Stevenson fight against WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney also recently collapsed.
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum has since expressed interest in working with Stevenson again, raising the possibility of an agreement between the two camps before purse bids become necessary.
The WBO said its formal negotiation order notice would be issued shortly.