Raymond Muratalla and Andy Cruz will meet this Saturday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas in one of the most intriguing lightweight title fights of the year, as Muratalla makes the first defense of his IBF belt against the highly decorated Cuban challenger.
Raymond Muratalla enters the bout with a 23-0 record and 17 knockouts, having been elevated from interim to full IBF champion following the retirement of Vasiliy Lomachenko. The 29-year-old Californian has steadily built his reputation as a composed, well-rounded professional, most recently proving his durability and discipline over championship distance against Zaur Abdullaev.
Across the ring will be Andy Cruz, a 2021 Olympic gold medalist and three-time amateur world champion who is attempting to win a major world title in just his seventh professional bout. Now 6-0 (3 KOs), Cruz has transitioned rapidly from Cuba’s elite amateur system to the pro ranks and is widely viewed as one of boxing’s most technically gifted newcomers.
The fight represents a classic contrast in backgrounds: Muratalla’s longer professional seasoning against Cruz’s extraordinary amateur pedigree. Both fighters are considered counterpunchers by nature, and their ability to control distance, timing, and tempo is expected to shape how the contest unfolds over 12 rounds.
Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing