Muratalla does not predict an early end. His view is that the work he brings over time matters more than anything that happens in the first few rounds. He expects the fight to remain demanding and the rounds to take something out of the challenger.
Muratalla is focused on the second half of the fight. He believes the pace gets physical once the early rounds are over, and that Cruz hasn’t shown he can carry that kind of fight over 12 rounds.
“So I think it’s going to be too much for him and see how I break him down in the later rounds,” said Muratalla. “There’s definitely a chance I can stop him. My strength speaks for itself.”
Cruz has already been in a fight that alludes to what Muratalla is describing. Last year, pressure fighter Omar Salcido Cruz took the full 10 rounds. Cruz clearly won, but the later rounds were not easy. He took clean shots and had to stay disciplined as the pace remained high.
That fight drew more attention when Salcido returned and was more comfortably beaten by the shorter, stockier Isaac Cruz, who won a wide 10-round decision by staying on him throughout. It didn’t damage Andy Cruz’s reputation, but it showed that steady pressure can make him work harder than expected.
This is the opening that Muratalla believes he can use.
There are also questions on Muratalla’s side. His 2024 fight with Tevin Farmer was uneven. Muratalla won a 10-round decision by coming on late, but he struggled early and gave away rounds. One judge had it 95-94, another 96-93, with the widest card at 97-92.
That fight showed Muratalla can finish strong. It also showed that he can take time to get going.
Saturday comes down to which pattern applies. Muratalla believes his pressure is wearing Cruz down late. Cruz believes he can stay in charge long enough to prevent that from happening.
Muratalla bet the second half definitely that.
Battle information
- Fight: Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz
- Location: Las Vegas
- Broadcast: DAZN
