Plans to showcase a Raymond Muratalla-Andy Cruz lightweight title fight on Riyadh’s November 22 “Ring IV: Night of Champions” card have stalled over finances, pushing the bout toward a purse bid. Top Rank and Matchroom agreed on most terms, yet Muratalla’s camp wouldn’t give final approval, leaving the IBF ready to invite promoters to bid for staging rights.
Muratalla became full IBF champion in June when Vasiliy Lomachenko vacated and retired. The Fontana, California boxer earned the interim belt in May by widely out-pointing Zaur Abdullaev and is obligated to make a mandatory defense. Cruz, Cuba’s Olympic gold medalist, punched his ticket as challenger with a fifth-round knockout of Hironori Mishiro in June.
A deal can still be struck before the bidding deadline, but any delay threatens to bump the fight from the already-stacked Riyadh show built around multiple title bouts. Should bids proceed, the highest offer will set location, date, and fighter purses - unless Muratalla’s team reaches late agreement with Matchroom.
Watch Cruz vs. Mishiro highlights: Watch
For now, the unbeaten champion and his fast-rising challenger wait while promoters sharpen their pencils. Whether “Night of Champions” keeps its lightweight showdown - or another city cashes the winning bid - depends on who writes the biggest check in the coming weeks.
Image Credit: The Ring