The fight gave Muratalla credibility for beating one of the best technicians in the lightweight division. It also showed how difficult life could become for him at the elite level. Cruz landed repeatedly during exchanges and forced Muratalla into the type of exhausting fight that can take something out of a lightweight over time.
Muratalla became the IBF champion after Vasiliy Lomachenko retired earlier this year. Lomachenko’s promotional deal with Top Rank officially expired this week, leaving the former three-division champion free to pursue outside fights if he decides to return.
Reports Tuesday indicated Lomachenko is considering a comeback at age 38 and would only return for a major fight.
One possibility mentioned by an official was a fight against Muratalla, which would immediately become the biggest name on the champion’s record.
There had been previous talk of a fight between Muratalla and Shakur Stevenson, but nothing serious ever developed before Stevenson moved up to 140 pounds earlier this year.
The IBF rankings leave several possible directions for Muratalla’s August return, including Albert Bell, Lucas Bahdi, and Floyd Schofield Jr.
Meanwhile, Andy Cruz is reportedly being discussed for another eliminator bout, creating the possibility that Muratalla may eventually have to deal with the Cuban again if both fighters keep winning.
The uncertainty surrounding Gervonta Davis has also left the lightweight division wide open. Davis has not fought since March 2025 and is reportedly targeting an early fall return while dealing with legal issues in Florida.
That inactivity has left fighters like Muratalla trying to grab control of the division while the biggest names remain tied up in uncertainty. August 8 may look like a homecoming date on paper, but Muratalla still has work to do before fans fully accept him as the man who replaced Lomachenko rather than the fighter who simply inherited his belt.
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