Muratalla pushed back on the idea that he was trying to avoid the fight. Instead, he leaned on experience, citing a longer professional career and a greater number of fights as the difference between himself and Cruz.
“The experience I have. I think it plays a big role,” Muratalla said in an interview with Matchroom Boxing. “My mindset as soon as I step into the ring. It just clicks for me and connects.”
Cruz enters the fight as the betting favorite. The Cuban standout is still early in his professional career, but his amateur background still determines how opponents and oddsmakers view him. Cruz won gold at the 2020 Olympics and defeated Keyshawn Davis four times in the amateurs, including in the Olympic final.
When asked directly if he believed Muratalla wanted the fight, Cruz was blunt.
“From the beginning I didn’t,” Cruz said. “They know what they want for his career. But I came to take it all.”
Cruz’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said Muratalla had an opportunity to face Cruz last year, but that negotiations over money stalled. Muratalla then explored a voluntary defense before the IBF stepped in and ordered the mandatory, removing that option.
Muratalla disputes the suggestion that he turned anything down.
“I wanted to get these fights,” Muratalla said. “I wanted to get this belt just so I can make fights like this happen. I’m definitely headed for this fight, and bigger fights after that.”
However, Cruz maintains that the earlier talks never progressed.
“Because I signed the contract to make the fight, and we didn’t get an answer from the other side,” he said.
Muratalla’s response was simple.
“I never received a contract,” he said. “I’ve never found one until now.”
With the mandatory finally in place, the debate over who wanted the fight is no longer theoretical. It will be settled in the ring on January 24.
