Andy Cruz is poised to take over the lightweight division in the first title fight of his short career against IBF champion Raymond Muratalla on January 24, 202,6, on DAZN at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Avoided Like the Plague
If Cruz captures the IBF title from Muratalla, it’s going to be interesting to see if he gets the big fight opportunities that other lesser talents like Shakur Stevenson are getting. Capturing the IBF belt should, in theory, help Cruz get the fights he needs to become the star in the lightweight division.
The Turki Factor
If Cruz looks too good in beating Muratalla on January 24th, it could work against him. He’ll be treated like a leper or one of the untouchable caste. It’s likely to require Turki Alalshikh to take an interest in Cruz in the same way he has with Terence Crawford. Without Turki, Cruz may be relegated permanently to the ‘who needs him’ club, treated as an undesirable by fighters and their cunning promoters.
Andy recently defeated Hironori Mishiro by a fifth-round knockout in an IBF 135-lb title eliminator on June 14, 2025, to lock himself into position to challenge for a belt.
The Eddie Hearn-promoted 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs) is the future of the 135-lb division. Thus far, the Cuban talent has been avoided like the plague, a fighter that the top fighters like Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis have ignored.
Lightweight Politics at Play
What’s hurt Cruz’s ability to get fights is a combination of his lack of English proficiency, his incredible talent, and the lightweight division’s lack of risk-takers. Shakur likes to say he’s willing to fight anyone, but his opponent choices suggest otherwise. He could have already defended against #1 WBC Cruz a long time ago, but he’s chosen to take easier fights.
Cruz was left off Turki Alalshikh’s stacked Ring IV event last Saturday night in Riyadh. Instead, the 21-year-old Abdullah Mason battled to a narrow 12-round decision over Sam Noakes in a sloppy fight.
Last Updated on 11/25/2025
Read the full article here