Muratalla Defends IBF Lightweight Title in Thrilling Majority Decision Against Cruz
Raymond Muratalla successfully defended his IBF world lightweight title by defeating Andy Cruz via majority decision in Las Vegas. The judges' scores for the 12-round contest were 114-114, 116-112, and 118-110.
Muratalla, holding a record of 24-0 with 17 KOs, was considered the underdog against Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs) due to Cruz's background as an Olympic gold medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Both fighters were ranked in the top five of the lightweight division prior to the bout, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter.
Post-Fight Outlook and Future Opponents
Following his victory, Muratalla expressed interest in fighting the winner of the upcoming Shakur Stevenson vs. Teofimo Lopez match.
Stevenson has indicated he plans to return to the 135-pound division after his fight, suggesting a potential unification bout between Stevenson and Muratalla could become a significant event in the lightweight division. Another prospective opponent for Muratalla is WBO champion Abdullah Mason, who also fights under Top Rank.
The Fight: A Close Contest of Styles
The 12-round championship contest was closely fought, with championship rounds 11 and 12 contributing significantly to Muratalla's victory. Throughout the fight, Muratalla maintained consistent front-foot pressure, often forcing Cruz onto the back foot.
Cruz, known for his Olympic pedigree, effectively utilized his jab and right hand from long and mid-range to score. In contrast, Muratalla focused on close-range combination punching and body work, seeking to wear down his opponent. The fight featured several momentum shifts, with both fighters having periods of advantage. Ultimately, Muratalla's sustained pressure and late-fight experience were noted as key factors in the outcome.
Main Card Results
- IBF lightweight title: Raymond Muratalla def. Andy Cruz via majority decision (114-114, 118-110, 116-112)
- Light heavyweight: Khalil Coe def. Jesse Hart via majority decision (94-94, 95-93, 96-92)
- Super welterweight: Israil Madrimov def. Luis David Salazar via unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 99-91)
- Welterweight: Omari Jones def. Jerome Baxter via unanimous decision (60-53, 60-53, 60-53)
- Super featherweight: Zaquin Moses def. Leandro Damian Medina via unanimous decision (60-53, 60-53, 60-53)