Matchroom revealed today that Andy Cruz will challenge IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla for his belt on January 24, 2026 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cruz’s fast track to a title
As Matchroom points out, 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs) is fighting for a world title in “only his seventh pro fight.” He is a classic example of a fighter who quickly rose to the top, and for good reason.
Cuban amateur royal com
With an amateur record of 135-9, a perfect 4-0 record against Keyshawn Davis, the talented Cuban Andy Cruz has the kind of experience right out of the gate that he doesn’t need to be brought along slowly for 20+ fights before fighting for a world title.
The world is waiting 🌎
Andy Cruz challenges Raymond Muratalla’s IBF World Lightweight title in just his seventh pro fight 😮💨#MuratallaCruz | January 24 | @fblasvegas | @trboks pic.twitter.com/JC6W8cGGmC
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) 14 November 2025
Andy’s experience in amateur fights on Cuba’s national team puts him even ahead of the world champions at 135, including Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson. None of those belt holders have Cruz’s steep credentials in the amateurs.
Top Rank’s missed soft touch
Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) is not being given a chance to milk his IBF title with some soft defenses after being elevated from interim to full champion status on June 9, 2025. There was not enough time.
Muratalla would have needed his promoters at Top Rank to quickly schedule a fight so that he secured a good payday against a beatable opponent before being forced to defend against his IBF mandatory, Cruz. The IBF has ordered the Muratalla vs. Cruz fight on October 2, 2025.
Eddie Hearn-promoted Andy Cruz looked like 24k gold in his last fight, knocking out Hironori Mishiro in the fifth round on June 14, 2025 in an official IBF 135-lb title eliminator at Madison Square Garden in New York. Interestingly, this was an undercard appearance for Cruz, who was on the Richardson Hitchins vs. George Kambosos Jr. card fight on DAZN.
It was a curious situation where the cream of the crop fighter, the one with top-level pound-for-pound talent, Andy Cruz, was given an undercard slot among fighters who probably don’t exist in the same galaxy as him talent-wise. If and when Cruz Muratalla is dethroned on January 24, his situation will change dramatically.
What happens if Cruz wins
Cruz may continue to struggle to secure fights against the more popular fighters at lightweight. This has been his problem since turning pro in 2023. He has yet to secure fights against Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis or Keyshawn Davis.
Winning the IBF belt could cause Cruz to be overlooked by the top fighters. It will require Turki Alalshikh to step forward to entice the reluctant so-called elite fighters to face Cruz.
“This is the moment I’ve been dreaming about since I was a kid. Raymond Muratalla is a great fighter, but I believe I’m on another level,” said Andy Cruz. “I sacrificed everything to get here, and that’s why I came to the United States to make history in the best boxing in the world. On fight night, the world will see the real Andy Cruz and why I’m ready to become a World Champion.”
Last updated on 14/11/2025
