Raymond Muratalla coach Robert Garcia says Muratalla will not defend his IBF lightweight title against compulsory challenger Andy Cruz before the sanction body ordered the fight.
IBF title defense stopped
Carlos Linares reports Muratalla coach Robert Garcia mentions that they will not fight against Andy Cruz (6-0, 3 COs). They prefer to defend the IBF belt against another fighter in California. It is unknown who the opponent will be for Muratalla (23-0, 17 COs), but someone is likely to be placed in the top 15 of the IBF.
It is not a surprise that the top-promoted Muratalla will not defend against Cruz. When Muratalla was elevated to the IBF champion status on June 9, it was already speculated that his promoters would make him choose to choose easy opposition to keep him on the belt for as long as possible.
Muratalla’s next opponent search
It is up to the IBF to decide when they plan to order Muratalla to make the defense against Cruz. Muratalla can have up to one year before the IBF recommends the fight. The time gap would be ideal for the top rank, as it would enable Raymond to get two easy title defense against soft bottom dwellers, such as Maxi Hughes and Diego Torres.
Andy Cruz on June 14, 2025, became the IBF lightweight mandatory and knocked out Hironori Mishiro in the fifth round. It is believed that the talented Cruz targeted the IBF title, because it is thought that it would be faster to get a title, rather than going to the WBC title that holds Shakur Stevenson.
Cruz is at the tip of 1 with the WBC. However, Shakur showed no desire to fight Andy. Stevenson insisted on a payday fight against Gervonta Davis, and he walked around Cruz and defended against fewer fighters.
Andy Cruz: Uncroned King of 135 pounds
The 2020s Olympic gold medalist Cruz of Cuba was an avoided fighter, who is considered the untouchable one, since he became professional in 2023. Initially, he avoided by Keyhawn Davis, then Shakur Stevenson, and now seemingly Muratalla. This is a sign that Andy Cruz is the unconcerned king of the lightweight section.
It could take years for Cruz to get a title against Shakur if he chose to go in that direction, because it is not a fight that would be given to him. Again, Cruz is probably the uncrossed king of the 135 pound division. Shakur is the Puppet King.
Last updated on 08/01/2025
