When Andy Cruz turned professional, expectations followed him like a shadow. A gold medalist at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Cruz was widely viewed as a future world champion long before he laced up his pro gloves.
Now, just seven fights into his paid career, Cruz is staring down his biggest test yet. The unbeaten Cuban will challenge undefeated IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, live on DAZN, in a matchup that could reshape the 135-pound landscape.
Fast-Tracked to the Top
Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs), 30, punched his ticket to a title shot in emphatic fashion, dropping Hironori Mishiro twice before scoring a fifth-round stoppage in an IBF eliminator. Ranked No. 5 at lightweight by The Ring, Cruz has wasted no time transitioning elite amateur pedigree into professional substance.
Across the ring stands Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs), a pressure-minded technician from Fontana, California, who claimed the interim IBF belt with a lopsided decision over Zaur Abdullaev in May. He was later elevated to full champion after Vasiliy Lomachenko announced his retirement and vacated the title. Muratalla sits No. 3 in The Ring’s lightweight rankings and enters the bout as a clear favorite.
According to DraftKings, Muratalla is listed around a -275 favorite a reflection of his experience, power, and proven pro résumé.
How Cruz Can Pull the Upset
For Cruz, the blueprint is clear but executing it against a champion of Muratalla’s caliber is another matter.
Cruz’s jab and laser-straight right hand are his foundation. He uses the jab not just to score, but to control distance and set traps. If Cruz can consistently counter Muratalla’s jab with his straight right, he can disrupt the champion’s rhythm and force him into predictable patterns.
Footwork will be just as critical. Cruz excels at managing range, darting in and out, and making opponents overcommit. If he can lure Muratalla forward and punish mistakes with counters particularly the right uppercut Cruz has the tools to steal rounds and potentially take over the fight.
What a Win Would Mean
If Cruz leaves Las Vegas with the IBF belt, it would be historic. Becoming a world champion in just his seventh professional fight is rare territory especially against an undefeated champion in his prime.
With questions lingering about whether Shakur Stevenson will return to lightweight, a Cruz victory could thrust the Cuban into legitimate “best at 135” conversations. More importantly, it would confirm that his rapid rise isn’t reckless matchmaking it’s destiny unfolding on schedule.
Cruz’s Confidence
Cruz, unsurprisingly, isn’t short on belief. “He will realize that it won’t be as easy as he believes it will be,” Cruz said. “When I go into that ring, I believe my skill level is superior to whatever challenge he can bring. My intelligence in that ring will nullify whatever he brings. It will be an entertaining fight for the fans but with the same ending as always.”
Saturday night at Fontainebleau Las Vegas will reveal whether Cruz’s Olympic brilliance can conquer elite professional opposition or whether Muratalla proves that experience still rules the lightweight throne.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
