Raymond Muratalla enters this battle with a clear edge in professional experience. He’s been through twelve-round fights and has shown he can stay disciplined when the pace slows and openings are limited. Over time, he learned how to remain patient when the action became difficult to force.
Andy Cruz comes on a very different path. His Olympic background is established, but he comes into this fight with only six professional fights. His rise to a world title event was swift and did not include a lengthy period at contender level.
That difference shapes how this battle is viewed.
Muratalla did not move quickly through the division. He worked forward for years, winning rounds and managing long fights without taking unnecessary risks. When he secured the IBF title, it followed that progression rather than a shortcut to the top.
Cruz looked strong early in his professional career. His footwork was consistent, and his counters were effective, but most of his fights took place at a pace he controlled. He has yet to manage prolonged pressure in a fight from an opponent who continues to apply it.
Muratalla brings that type of approach. He tends to start patiently, avoids forcing early finishes and maintains his structure as fights continue. Against Zaur Abdullaev, he maintained his form and output over twelve rounds without adjusting his style or setting back the pace. Cruz is not required to work as a professional under those circumstances.
This will be Muratalla’s first defense as the full IBF champion. The interim designation is no longer part of the picture, and the position carries different expectations. A win over Cruz would boost Muratalla’s standing within the lightweight division.
Cruz could still develop into a world-class fighter over time. Boxing history shows that timing plays an important role, and early title fights produced mixed outcomes for fast-rising contenders.
Saturday will show how Cruz handles a twelve-round fight when control of the pace is no longer guaranteed. For the first time as a professional, he may have to answer that question the hard way.
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Last updated on 20/01/2026
