Andy Cruz Finally Gets IBF Title Shot vs Raymond Muratalla

Eddie Hearn Says The Ibf Has Ordered Raymond Muratalla to Defend His Lightweight Title Against Mandatory Andy Cruz. Matchroom Promoter Hearn States That It Will Go To Purches Bidding, And He Intends to Stage to Stage The Muratalla-Cruz Fight in January 2026.

Cruz’s avoided Reputation

The 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Cruz has been avoided Fighters in the Lightweight Division Since 2023. All the big names, Like Shakur Stevenson, Gervis, and Keyshawn Davis, Have Ignored Him.

Muratalla’s Missed Payday

“They Ordered The Fight Yesterday. It’s Now. Andy Cruz vs. Raymond Muratalla Will Be Next. Muratalla Turned Down a Fight in Saudi,” Said Eddie Hearn Ring magazine. “We had a Great Financial Opportunity to Do That Fight on November 22nd. But Muratalla Couldn’t A Agree to A Deal.”

Top rank missed out on Getting Muratalla Title-Milking Fight Before Having To Face Andy Cruz. They Likely Would Have SO SO IF to Their Contract With ESPN HADN’t Expired on July 26, 2025.

“We Know Muratalla Was Potentially Going To Take a Voluntary Against Floyd Schofield, But Schofield has gone a Different Direction,” Said Hearn.

That splas Why Muratalla Chose Not to Agree to The Fight Against Cruz on The November Card. Schofield Would Have a More Winnable Fight For Raymond Than Going Up Against Cruz, and potentially Getting Outboxed In A One-Sided Fight.

Would Be Interest To Know Muratalla Regrets Not accepting the Deal to Fight Andy Cruz on the November 22nd Card, As It Would Like a substantial payday. It’s Unlet Whether He Will Receive The Same Money Defending Against Cruz in January 2026 WITHOUT Turki AlaLSHikh Being Involved.

Muratalla’s Brief Reign As the IBF Champion Could Talented 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Cruz. The Top Rank-Promoted Raymond Was Elevated to the IBF Lightweight Champion 9, 2025. This Came After the Previous Champion, Vasily Lomachenko, announced His retirement on June 5, 2025.

Hearn Targets January Clash

“NOW, We’ve got Purse Bidding. I don’t care. Cruz Is Going To Fight for a World title,” Said Hearn About Andy Cruz. “It’s A Massive Opportunity. A Great Fighter.

It’s About Time for Cruz to Get a World title Shot. The Two-Year Pro Cruz is ranked # 1 IBF, # 1 WBC, # 3 WBO, and # 7 wbo.

Shakur Stevenson Might Be Relieved to Hear The News Of The Ibf Ordering Cruz to Face Muratalla. The WBC Had Cruz Breathing Down His Neck At # 1 Would You Would Had To Defend Him Once He Returned to 135-LB Division at some point after His Excursion.

Written by Ken Woods, Ringside Boxing Analyst Covering World Title Fights Since 2018.