Andy Cruz has a chance to close himself as the compulsory for IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla if he were to overcome on Saturday, June 14, in his IBF title Eliminator against Hironori Mishiro. Cruz (5-0, 2 food) stands in front of Mishiro (17-1-1, 6 food) in Madison Square Garden Theater in New York. The event is shown on Dazn.
Cruz: better than main event
Andy Cruz against Hironori Mishiro is the 12-round main support on the Richardson Hitchins against George Kambosos Jr. Card. Some fans would argue that this should be the most important event, because Cruz is a much better talent than the non-giving pleasure, Hitchins and the faded ex-champion, Kambosos.
Muratalla (23-0, 17 CO’s) was increased to full IBF champion status after retirement of Vasily Lomachenko. Now he might have to deal with Andy Cruz as his compulsory opponent if the Cuban star wins against Mishiro on Saturday.
Muratalla will not vacate his IBF title, but it may not end well for him if he does face Cruz. He is likely to stop the title defense against Cruz for as long as possible. The IBF will give Muratalla 9 to 12 months to defend against Andy before moving to strip him.
Salcido: Muratalla’s style twin
In Cruz’s last fight, on January 25, he beat a similar fighter to Muratalla, Great Puncher Omar Salcido, and he came close to keeping an exclusion in a running unanimous decision of 10 round. Salcido was a pure copy of Muratalla in terms of strength and fighting style. He looked helpless against Cruz.
Hearn Fast-Tracks Andy Cruz
Cruz has been avoided since he became pro after his Olympic gold medal in 2020 against Keyshawn Davis. The way in which Cuban Talent Cruz Keyshawn had in that fight made him a person to swing in the pro ranks. Cruz was wise to get him with promoter Eddie Hearn, who quickly found him to get him this IBF title eliminator, after only five battles. Hearn believes cruz is just a “Few battles” away from challenge for a world title.
It is doubtful why the IBF Mishiro gave a #5 rankings with their organization, because its victories against exclusively fewer opponents. There is not one victory on Mishiro’s eight-year resume that was against a top fighter. In 2023, Mishiro lost to a fighter named Min Ho Jung (19-5-2, 5 COs).
Mishiro’s last six opponents
– Hinata Maruta
– Kazuaki Miyamoto
– Shuma Nakazato
– Hiromasa Urakawa
– Yongchao Sheng
– my Ho Jung
It doesn’t look good for Mishiro going up against Cruz on Saturday night. Unless Mishiro shows a hidden talent that he has locked up his entire career, he will lose badly.
Last updated on 06/09/2025
