Andy Cruz insists he is ready to challenge IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla for his belt next, after his fifth round technical knockout of Hironori Mishiro last Saturday night.

(Credit: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom)

Amateur stem tree: Cruz’s advantage

Some fans are questioning whether Cruz (6-0, 3 COs) has enough experience to challenge a world title after just two years. Cruz says his amateur career and Olympic experience are enough for him to encounter Muratalla (23-0, 17 COs).

Cruz’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is not sure if he will challenge Muratalla next, because the top-promoted fighter can take a voluntary defense before defending. It is up to the IBF how soon the fight takes place, but chances are it may take up to a year.

“Apparently I was moved very quickly in terms of the professional game. I had a very important amateur trees, which enabled me to really develop things, ‘said Andy Cruz during the Press conference after battle Last Saturday night when asked if he believed he was ready to challenge for the IBF lightweight title with less than ten fights than professional.

With Cruz’s long amateur career and Olympic experience, it would have been useless for him to utilize the slow approach to his pro career, as many fighters do who did not have much amateur experience.

Olympic experience fuels cruz

“I fought in the Olympics. I also fought at the world championship level. So I feel like I’m completely ready for my next step and whatever is coming, ‘says Cruz. “I always believe I can do a little more there. I wouldn’t give myself a 10 tonight. I would probably say it was an eight, “Andy said when he asked what degree he gave him. ‘

Muratalla has been a pro for nine years and has faced Tevin Farmer and Zaur Abdullaev. He looked good in both fights. It is unknown how many battles Muratalla had as amateur, but it is safe to say that it is nowhere near the number that Cruz had. He completed his amateur career with a record of 140-9.

“With every fight you face, it’s about different challenges, but I’m ready for any challenges that come my way. I came here to show what I made and show that I’m ready to go to the next level. I think that’s what I did,” Cruz said.

It is a pity that Andy did not fight a better opponent than Mishiro because he was not much of a test for him. There are many better contenders in the lightweight section, but their promoters will not be eager to enable them to face a fighter as talented as Cruz.

For example, it is unlikely that 21-year-old Abdullah Mason will allow anywhere near Cruz because he is not ready for the kind of fighter, and maybe he will never be.