What six fights tell you
Cruz looked sharp in limited exposure. His Cuban roots show in how he moves and controls distance. Bozy Ennis claims he wasn’t trying to rebuild Cruz’s style, just adding to it. That sounds reasonable until you remember he wasn’t tested by anyone who could exploit loopholes in that approach.
Muratalla brings another problem. He is not a polished boxer, but he applies pressure and forces fighters to work in close. If Cruz can keep him at bay and box off the back foot, this could go clean. If Muratalla drags him into exchanges and makes it ugly, we’ll learn more about Cruz in one night than we have in six fights combined.
The IBF sanctioning this as a title fight says more about the organization’s priorities than Cruz’s readiness. Alphabet titles are handed out based on rankings that shift for reasons no one outside the offices can track. Cruz may be a future champion, but putting him in this spot right now feels like building hype before solidifying the foundation.
Cruz is ready
“This fight is the most important fight of my career,” Cruz said in training footage released by Matchroom. “At this moment I just had to prove it, and that’s what I do, put on a great performance and stay the champion that night.” He called himself the champion before he won the belt. It’s either confidence or promotional thinking that takes over.
He added: “Since I arrived in the United States, I always knew that I have what it takes to be here. I am aware that every fight will be more difficult for me. As I climb the ranks, the fights become more difficult. This is my first opportunity for the title, so for preparation, every camp must be with more intensity, with more desire, more heart so that I can achieve my goal.”
The awareness is there, but awareness and experience are not the same thing. Cruz also said something worth noting: “My style comes from Cuba. So, rather than changing it, I made adjustments, a combination of Cuban boxing and a boxing style learned here can produce good results. Talent without work is nothing.”
This fight will either confirm that Cruz belongs at this level or expose him as a prospect who was pushed too quickly. Muratalla is not a name fighter, but he has fought tougher opposition. If Cruz handles him cleanly, the hype starts to look justified. If he struggles, we’ll once again wonder why he was in this place to begin with.
Date: Friday, January 24, 2026
Start time: 19:00 ET (12:00 GMT Saturday)
Streaming Platform: Live on DAZN
Place: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
