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The offer for six fights exposed the limitations of professional experience

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Image: Andy Cruz’s Inexperience Shows in Narrow Loss to Raymond Muratalla

Andy Cruz’s first professional defeat was due to experience rather than lack of skill.

Fighting for a world title in just six professional fights against a pressure fighter with over twenty under his belt turned out to be insurmountable. Cruz fought IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla almost to the end, but the difference in professional experience showed in the rounds that mattered most.


This writer scored a draw in the fight. The others leaned slightly towards Muratalla. Even the wide cards did not reflect dominance. They reflected how decisive close rounds are when one fighter knows how to take them and the other doesn’t.

Muratalla knew how to score runs. He stayed in front of Cruz, keeping the fight going and forcing the judges to choose between movement and initiative. As the rallies were even, Muratalla’s forward push became essential. This is learned behavior.

Cruz fought with control and composure. His timing and balance allowed him to neutralize Muratalla at long distances. It avoided long replacements and narrow damage. What he didn’t do often enough was give himself the confidence to take a round.

This difference reflects repetition at this level, not talent. Professional title fights reward apparent intention as much as pure work. Cruz often waited for openings rather than creating them. This approach works well in amateur boxing. Over twelve rounds against the champion leaves too much for the judges.

Given comparable work experience, it would likely be a different fight. Cruz has demonstrated sufficient ability to support this view. He lacked the accumulated knowledge of when to engage in combat, not manage it.

It wasn’t a lack of skill. It was a readiness test.

Against this opponent, at this stage, six professional fights were not enough.

This explains the result.

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Victor Ortiz was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather, but names an opponent who was ‘much better’

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Victor Ortiz got knocked out by Floyd Mayweather but names the opponent who was ‘much better’

Floyd Mayweather’s last knockout victory over a legal opponent came in 2011 against Victor Ortiz, but despite the stoppage loss, the fighter known as “Vicious” claims he once fought a much better opponent.

It was a highly controversial moment when Mayweather knocked out Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title more than a decade ago, and the fourth round of their fight turned out to be full of drama.

Ortiz threw combinations on the ropes against Mayweather, but then got reckless and led with his head, prompting the referee to deduct a point.

With Ortiz paying no attention to the resumption of the fight, Mayweather fired a tough shot that knocked down and then knocked out his opponent, proving the elderly adage to always protect yourself.

Mayweather is undoubtedly the biggest name Ortiz has ever adopted, but while the boxing legend can be considered one of the best of all time, Ortiz told TalkSport that Andre Berto was better.

“He (Mayweather) is not the best opponent I’ve faced. Without a doubt, not. The best opponent I’ve faced was Andre Berto; he was much better. Andre Berto is a top-shelf pound-for-pound king. He knocked me down, I knocked him down, he got up, he knocked me down again.”

“This man showed everything: quality, heart, skill. Whatever, he’s got it. Someone like Floyd has what? Counter, running? That same year, I bought him some sprint shots at a press conference. My brother also bought him a box of tampons.

“But Andre Berto is special. I have the utmost respect for him. He has power in both hands; he is the total package. Someone with Floyd can’t compete with that.”

Ortiz defeated Berto to win the WBC welterweight title in a fight before facing Mayweather, which would be the first defeat of Berto’s professional career.

Berto’s final record was 32 wins and 6 losses, and during their meeting in September 2015, he suffered a one-sided defeat to Mayweather himself.

Mayweather competed just once again after the Berto fight, when he knocked out MMA fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017, although he is scheduled to return to fight former opponent Manny Pacquiao in September provided that the current problems can be solved.

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Jarrell Miller tries to break into Joshua’s plans

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Image: Jarrell Miller tries to force way into Joshua plans

Many fans on social media suspect that Miller is once again chasing Joshua just to secure a huge payday, which he threw away when failed drug tests canceled their 2019 fight.

Joshua wants a tune-up before he finally meets Tyson Fury. The plan is to shake off the rust and keep his record pristine before this huge event happens. This gap in the schedule gives other heavyweights a chance to make their voices heard, and Miller takes advantage of the moment.

Miller is still a controversial name, but he knows how to cause offense. Beating Pero would aid him prove that he still belongs in this conversation.

“Your whooping cough will come sooner or later. You can run, but you can’t hide,” Jarrell Miller said on Matchroom.

From a business perspective, Joshua’s team is focused on the Tyson Fury event. Facing an aggressive, volume hitter like Miller in a comeback fight would be risky. If Joshua wins, critics may view it as defeating a challenger who has spent years outside the elite mix. If he loses, Fury’s payout and his position will take damage.

Miller has built much of his reputation on noise and confrontation, but he’s still trying to fight his way into the majors. A victory over Pero won’t put him in a fight with Joshua right away, but it will keep him in the wider discussion.

Joshua’s team may still choose the safer and more controlled option of a return, especially if negotiations with Fury progress behind the scenes. Risking that payday against a hazardous or inconvenient opponent wouldn’t make much sense.

Still, Miller continues to cling to the story whenever Joshua’s name resurfaces in the headlines. Heavyweight boxing has a long memory, and some unfinished fights remain useful long after the first fall.

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Terence Crawford names one fight he would like to see against Gervonta Davis this year

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Terence Crawford names one fight he wants to see Gervonta Davis make happen this year

Terence Crawford has named an opponent he would “love to face” with Gervonta Davis in his expected return to the sport.

The former world champion hasn’t fought since March 2025, when many felt he was lucky to draw with Lamont Roach.

Nevertheless, “Tank” retained the WBA lightweight title and was scheduled to face Roach in an immediate rematch before negotiating an exhibition match with Jake Paul.

But instead of spending time with the YouTuber-turned-boxer, Davis was forced to deal with domestic violence allegations from his former partner, Courtney Rossel.

Since then The 31-year-old was recognized by the WBA as a “breaktime champion”.urged by No. 1 contender Floyd Schofield to book their fight or give him a free shot at the title.

Davis, however, has expressed greater interest in a rematch with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz at 140 pounds, even though he passed the Mexican in 2021.

Meanwhile, Crawford has no desire to watch “Tank” fight Schofield or Cruz, but he would happily sit back and watch him clash with Shakur Stevenson.

I’m talking to Danielle Pirello“Bud” called the WBO super lightweight world champion the perfect opponent for Davis, believing their potential meeting would be one of the best fights that could be had.

“I’d like to see Shakur vs. ‘Tank’ Davis.”

Stevenson had previously called on Davis to sign a contract several times, perhaps making him increasingly doubtful whether the Baltimore player would ever sign.

Therefore, it is unrealistic to expect an immediate fight between “Tank” and Stevenson, especially after the latter’s dominant performance against Teofimo Lopez in January.

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