Eddie Hearn says the IBF ordered Raymond Muratalla to defend his lightweight title against the compulsory Andy Cruz. Matchroom-Promotor Hearn mentions that it will go to wallets, and he intends to win it to set up the Muratalla-Cruz battle in January 2026.
Cruz’s avoided reputation
The 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz has been one of the most avoided fighters in the lightweight section since becoming a pro in 2023. All the big names, such as Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis and Keyshawn Davis, ignored him.
Muratalla’s missed payday
“They ordered the fight yesterday. It was now ordered. Andy Cruz against Raymond Muratalla will be next. Muratalla rejected a fight in Saudi,” Eddie Hearn said Ring magazine. ‘We had a wonderful financial opportunity to fight on November 22. But Muratalla could not agree to an agreement. ‘
Top Rank missed it to get Muratalla a title-dairy before encountering Andy Cruz. They would probably have done so if their contract with ESPN had not expired on July 26, 2025.
“We know that Muratalla may take voluntarily against Floyd Schofield, but Schofield has gone in a different direction,” says Hearn.
This explains why Muratalla chose not to agree to the fight against Cruz on the November card. Schofield would have a more winable battle for Raymond than standing up against Cruz, and possibly boxing out in a unilateral fight.
It will be interesting to know if Muratalla regrets that he does not accept the agreement to fight Andy Cruz on the 22nd card because it sounds like he would have received a substantial payday. It is unclear whether he will receive the same money that defends against Cruz in January 2026 without Turki Alalshikh involved.
Muratalla’s short reign when the IBF champion could end against the talented Olympic gold medal medal of 2020. The top-promoted Raymond was raised to the full IBF lightweight champion on June 9, 2025. This comes after previous champion Vasily Lomachenko announced his retirement on June 5, 2025.
Hearn target January Clash
“Now, we have wallets. I don’t care. Cruz is going to fight for a world title, ‘says Hearn about Andy Cruz. “This is a massive opportunity. Muratalla is a big fighter. It is a tremendous struggle. We want to win the bid and hold that battle in January. ‘
It’s time for Cruz to get a world title. The two-year Pro Cruz is at the point of 1 IBF, #1 WBC, #3 WBA and #7 WBO.
Shakur Stevenson could be relieved to hear the news of the IBF that Cruz ordered to encounter Muratalla. The WBC brought Cruz around his neck at number 1, and he had to defend against him as soon as he returned to the 135-pound section at some point after his excursion.
Written by Ken Woods, the analyst of the box that has been covering world title fights since 2018.
Last updated on 10/03/2025
