Promoter Eddie Hearn is looking forward to his fighter, Andy Cruz, showing he was right to sign him when he challenges IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla on January 24, 2026 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Las Vegas. The event will be broadcast live on DAZN.
Cruz’s Gold Medal Pedigree
Hearn will have the chance to make the right move by signing Cuban talent Cruz after he won the gold medal at the 2020 Olympics. The other promoters missed their opportunity to sign Andy.
Avoided since day one
Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs) has been shunned since turning pro in 2023. Unable to get fights against Shakur Stevenson, Keyshawn Davis and Geronta Davis, Cruz had to work in obscurity, even though he had better amateur credentials than those fighters. None of them won gold medals. They certainly haven’t posted one 135-9 amateur record like Cruz.
Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) is considered the unlucky one by fans as he was recently elevated to IBF 135-lb champion status after former belt holder Vasily Lomachenko chose to retire rather than face him. He wasn’t quick enough to get a voluntary defense in before the IBF ordered him to defend against Andy Cruz.
Why Hearn is confident
“Raymond is a fantastic fighter and a worthy world champion, but I believe he is going to face a man who is going to be very difficult to beat, not only on January 24, but for many a year after that. Andy has shown so far that he has what it takes to turn his amazing amateur success into a long reign at the elite level in the paid ranks, we’ll see if i’m right in a brilliant battle,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.
Muratalla has excellent punching power, but he hasn’t fought anyone nearly as good as Cruz in his nine-year career. The closest Muratalla came to fighting someone like him was when he fought Tevin Farmer in 2024. But even he is nothing like Cruz.
Muratalla is coming off a 12-round unanimous decision over Zaur Abdullaev on May 10, 2025 in San Diego. He captured the IBF interim lightweight title with this victory.
Last updated on 12/02/2025
