Sergio Mora says Raymond Muratalla should go ahead and defend his IBF lightweight crown against mandatory challenger Andy Cruz, rather than vacate his title to avoid a loss.
Half a million dollar reality check
Cruz’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, won the purse bid last Thursday, October 23, 2025 with a winning bid of $888,888.88, surpassing Muratalla’s promoter, Top Rank, at $550,000. Muratalla is expected to receive about $500,000 of that money.
Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) could have potentially earned more had he chosen to defend against Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs) on the upcoming November 22nd Riyadh season card, but was reportedly unable to agree to financial terms. Now Muratalla (28) is in a situation where he has to defend the IBF belt against an opponent against whom he will be the underdog.
“He collects that half a million dollar salary, and gives it everything he’s got against a guy he’s going to be an underdog against Andy Cruz. He’s not just a boxer anymore, he’s a puncher,” commentator Sergio Mora told Chris Mannix’s. YouTube channel about IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla defending against the talented Cuban Andy Cruz.
Muratalla will have a punch against the undefeated Cruz. If he can land something big, it’s possible he could KO him. Cruz was hurt in the fourth round of his fight against Antonio Moran on August 3, 2024 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Moran landed a hard left hook to the head of Cruz with 30 seconds left in the 4th, staggering him, causing him to hold for the rest of the round. Cruz came back strong to dominate the fifth and sixth before knocking out Moran in the 7th.
In Cruz’s last fight against Hironori Mishiro, he destroyed him in five rounds in an IBF 135-lb title eliminator on June 14, 2025. This was the vintage Cruz beat Keyshawn Davis four times in the amateurs and compiled a 135-9 record before turning pro.
“I think he’s taking it. It’s a strategic financial decision. I think they (Team Muratalla) know they’re coming up short because he would come up short against one of the great amateur boxers in Andy Cruz. So, defend your championship, collect a check, and learn something on the court,” Mora said.
Top Rank’s Broadcast Blackout
If Muraralla were to vacate his IBF title, he would be career-wise back to the top spot, toiling away as a contender, and likely fighting on Top Rank’s undercards if and when they finally land a new broadcast deal. Top Rank is currently without a broadcaster. Their eight-year run with ESPN expired in August 2025. Their final card with ESPN was on July 26, 2025.
Last updated on 30/10/2025
