Andy Cruz’s first professional loss changed the priorities for his return. Rather than chasing an emphatic knockout, Paulie Malignaggi believes the Cuban standout simply needs to get his hand raised when he faces Abraham Montoya on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Malignaggi said Cruz should focus on boxing his way back into contention after suffering his upset defeat to Raymond Muratalla last January.
“Winning first and foremost, getting yourself back in the W column is the most important thing for Cruz. So I see Cruz kind of boxing his way to a 10-round decision at plus odds at plus 145,” said Paulie Malignaggi on Tommy and Paulie’s Big Fight Forecast.
“Cruz on points is probably a safe bet. I don’t see this. This guy’s too slow for Cruz. Too slow. But he’s durable. He’s going to be there fighting hard.”
Malignaggi pointed to Montoya’s durability as another reason not to expect an early finish. Although Montoya has absorbed seven defeats during his career, he has never been stopped and has repeatedly gone the distance in 10- and 12-round fights. That, combined with Cruz’s style, makes a points victory the most likely outcome in Malignaggi’s view.
Don’t miss this one! Andy Cruz and Abraham Montoya FACE-OFF! 👀#PachecoAleem | July 18 | Live on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/l64MUlCmIP
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) July 16, 2026
“He’s an awkward guy. He’s a durable guy, and he’s a willing guy. You’re going to punch him, he’s punching right back at you. You’re not going to keep getting off combinations on him. Andy Cruz is not a one-punch guy,” said Malignaggi. “If the knockout was to happen, it would happen in breakdown fashion over the second half of the fight.”
A convincing victory would help the 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz steady his career after the Muratalla setback and begin rebuilding his standing among the lightweight division’s leading contenders.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/16 at 5:22 PM
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