Muratalla vs. Cruz: The one huge advantage that could turn the fight in one boxer's favour

A decorated amateur and Olympic gold medalist, Andy Cruz will look to become a world champion in just his seventh professional fight when he challenges IBF lightweight titleholder Raymond Muratalla this weekend.

It all takes place Saturday night at Bleau Live Arena in Las Vegas, and live on DAZN.

Since his July 2023 pro debut, Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs) has been on a fast track to this point with his trajectory only being accelerated with two wins in 2025. That’s when the Cuban standout defeated Omar Salcido by unanimous decision in January before blasting Hinori Mishiro via fifth-round TKO in June.

He clashes with a fellow unbeaten fighter in Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) who edged Zaur Abdullaev in a unanimous decision last May to claim the IBF interim lightweight title. He was later elevated to the IBF world championship full status after former titleholder Vasiliy Lomachenko retired.

Will Cruz outpoint Muratalla with a sweet science lesson to be crowned a world champion? Or will Muratalla retain his title with his biggest win to date? DAZN News analyzes who has the edge entering this world championship bout.

Boxing Styles

Raymond Muratalla often needs to warm up his engine, but once his motor is revving the IBF lightweight world champion has a penchant of piecing together slicing combinations with some oomph. In particular, he routinely doubles up on the jab and sneaks in left hooks and uppercuts toward dazzling results.

His boxer-puncher style will be up against the consummate technician in Andy Cruz. The Cuban fighter works shrewdly behind the jab, peppering opponents with the stick and irking them further by alternating between the head and body with accuracy.

Plus, he stands in the pocket, relying on his slips to evade opponents’ punches.

That Muratalla often takes time to let his hands fly is concerning, considering Cruz tends to dictate the pace and crank up the volume quickly.

Edge: Cruz

Power

During an interview with DAZN News, Muratalla did not mince words in saying “I think my power is definitely going to be the difference.”

Muratalla touts a knockout ratio of nearly 75 percent with 17 of his 23 pro wins coming by the way of stoppage.

Cruz has power too as evidenced by the fifth-round TKO he produced in his last fight, though Muratalla possesses more pop to his punch and has the Cuban beat in this category.

Edge: Muratalla

Mental Warfare

Muratalla believes Cruz' step up has come “too soon” and that it’s going to result in “a problem” for the Cuban technician, as he told The Ring.

Well, in saying so, Muratalla puts the pressure on himself to deliver a splashy win.

In addition, this fight is a proving ground for the Fontana, California native who did dominate Abdullaev to claim the interim IBF lightweight title, but benefitted from Lomachenko’s abrupt retirement to become the full status IBF world champion.

The pressure is on Muratalla now to show why he is deserving of the crown at 135 pounds.

He will either rise to this occasion or falter. The mental warfare needle tilts in Cruz’ favor.

Edge: Cruz

Who has the edge in Muratalla vs. Cruz?

Yes, this marks Cruz’ seventh pro fight. But he is one of the best amateurs of his generation in a similar vein to Lomachenko’s decorated amateur pedigree.

With that trek and his Olympic gold medal, the heralded Cuban sensation could become the new IBF lightweight world champion with a rousing win Saturday night. That said, Muratalla’s own proving points stand to make it a tough task.

Still, Cruz certainly has the tools and talent to snatch the title, with DAZN News giving him the 2-1 edge for his fast track to culminate in a crown.