IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla will not defend against the mandatory Andy Cruz on the 22nd map in Riyadh. This is a fight that Cruz (6-0, 3 COs) wanted, but that won’t happen.
Muratalla-cruz fight off
Mike Coppinger reports that the Olympic gold medal of 2020Cruz, was “on board” And he left it there, indicating that it was Muratalla’s side that did not want the fight.
Top Rank has not yet announced his plans for his warrior, Muratalla (23-0, 17 COs) because he cannot hold his IBF title for long before the battle with Cruz is ordered. It is believed that he has from nine to twelve months before he will be forced to defend against Cruz or give up the belt.
It would be a bad incidence of Muratalla if he was evacuated or stripped of his IBF title because he did not defend against Andy Cruz. Fans on social media believe he didn’t want to lose his O. So he chose not to fight Andy.
Muratalla, 28, misses a golden opportunity to prove himself by fighting Andy Cruz on the Turki Alalshikh’s event on November 22 at the Anb Arena in Riyadh. If Raymond fought and won on the map, his stock would rise, and Turki would probably invite him to his other occasions. But for him not to fight against Cruz, fans give the impression that he does not want one of the smoke of the talented Cuban.
Promoter Eddie Hearn was quiet about who he wants Cruz to fight next. He does not want to hold himself with the other lightweight he promotes, Shakur Stevenson, as he tries to position him for a fight against Gervonta Davis. Andy would spoil things by beating Shakur, making him look bad, and permanently ruining his chances of ever getting a taste of the millions he would enjoy from a tank fight.
Cruz’s fighting style duty
Andy’s fighting style has been gradually changed by his coach, Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis, since he became a pro in 2023. He has become more puncher over the past year and chases his opponents with power shots. In Cruz’s previous fight, he stopped Hironori Mishiro in the fifth round in an IBF title -Liminator on June 14 in Madison Square Garden in New York.
Last updated on 07/08/2025
