Connect with us

Boxing

Andy Cruz is a problem Muratalla didn’t ask for

Published

on

Promotional poster showing IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla and challenger Andy Cruz ahead of their January 24, 2026 title fight at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

On January 24, 2026, Muratalla will make his first title defense against a fighter who will face several champions he volunteers to face, and almost none of whom are actively pursued.

A must-have that changes the equation

Cruz will not enter this fight as a contender looking to announce himself. It appears as a structural problem.

With an amateur record of 140-9 and years spent neutralizing pressure fighters in the Cuban system, Cruz has a skill set that rarely produces fireworks but often causes frustration. This is critical against Muratalla, whose success is largely due to pressure and strength at the beginning of the match.

This was not the defense Muratalla had planned. This is the one he has to deal with.

A clash of styles, not Star Power

Muratalla is most effective when he can close the gap early, apply power and let physicality dictate the pace. Many of his stops occurred before opponents had time to placid down or adjust.

Cruz was built to do away with this approach

It’s about timing, distance control and counter-attacks – precisely the tools that punish front foot pressure. Speed, not strength, is the separator in this equation, and Cruz has the advantage in it.

For Muratalla, it’s not about trade. It’s about finding a way to disrupt a rhythm that rarely breaks on its own.

Why Cruz is the favorite

Odds organizers considered Cruz the betting favorite, even though Muratalla was the reigning champion. That alone tells a story.

Cruz is the type of fighter for whom belts are secondary to risk. At 135 years elderly, few top players were interested in him, not because he lacked skill, but because he offered little advantage compared to the danger.

It’s a classic case of a must-have challenger with more technical power than commercial appeal – and for champions, these are often the most uncomfortable fights.

First attempt at defense

The fight will be broadcast on DAZN from Fontainebleau Las Vegas, but the setting won’t make it any less complex.

For Muratalla, it’s about proving adaptability, not toughness. Pressure alone is not enough. He will need patience, discipline and a way to prevent Cruz from turning the fight into a long technical exercise.

For Cruz, this is a chance to confirm what many already believe – that his avoidance of the lightweight competition was not a coincidence.

What this fight really is

This is not a glamorous defense. It’s a skill test. And for a champion making his first defense, a clash with Andy Cruz is as ruthless a start as the division can offer.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Eddie Hearn warns that Zuffa athletes could lose their world title eligibility

Published

on

Image: Eddie Hearn Says Zuffa Fighters Should Lose Access To World Titles

“I think there will be a large split in boxing now,” promoter Matchroom Hearn told the media. “If you go with Zuffa, you’re out of the governing bodies. I think that’s really what it’s going to have to be like.”

Hearn’s comments come at a time when Zuffa Boxing is gaining momentum and gaining attention from fighters and promoters across the sport. The long-term question was whether the events would interact with the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO systems, or go in a different direction.

Hearn explained his position.

“If you sign with Zuffa, you can’t win the world championship,” he said. “You can’t have it both ways.”

He pointed to the recent movement to include titleholders and challengers, arguing that fighters who leave the customary route are giving up some of what boxing has historically valued most.

“Legacy will always be the answer,” Hearn said.

This line leads to a real fight under the headlines. Zuffa can offer money, platform power and stern promotion via TKO. Time-honored boxing still offers belts, rankings and the story behind becoming a champion.

Many competitors will try to secure both if possible. Hearn is doubtful whether the balance can be maintained.

Hearn also criticized recent arguments against the Ali Act and said income transparency remains one of the strongest protections for combatants in the current US system.

Whether fans agree with Hearn or not, he touched on something real. Boxing may be heading down two separate paths, and fighters will soon have to decide which is more vital.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Moses Itauma is open to fighting the “legend” KO artist who wants to test his beard

Published

on

Moses Itauma open to facing KO artist ‘legend’ who wants to test his chin

Moses Itauma is willing to face the uncompromising heavyweight veteran after his last fight, a methodical fifth-round stoppage victory over Jermaine Franklin.

The 21-year-old showed his world-class potential last month, scoring a third-round knockout before stopping the typically tough Franklin with a powerful uppercut.

Itauma has since been named mandatory challenger for the WBO title, putting him in pole position to face the winner of the Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois fight at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on May 9.

However, this highly developed talent is ranked No. 1 in the WBA and No. 2 in the WBC, which gives him several options to consider before his next assignment.

WITH Itauma is reportedly expected to return in JulySeveral candidates are already being considered as potential opponents, including the likes of Murat Gassiev and Filip Hrgovic.

As for a potential fight with Deontay Wilder, Itauma said DAZN in preparations for the American’s fight with Derek Chisora, that he would be open to fighting him.

“If he wins, yes. You have to weigh the risk against the reward. What do you get [from fighting] his?

“He is a legend in the sport and I really respect him, but you have to weigh the pros and cons.”

After suffering two knockdowns and beating Chisora ​​by split decision earlier this month, former world champion Wilder is looking for another chance.

I’m talking to ESPNThe 40-year-old said he was not in the mood to avoid potential opponents, including Itauma, who made a huge impression on him against Franklin.

“I’m a heavyweight. All the other characters are heavyweights. Why not? I’m not [dodging] anyone.

“I didn’t know who Moses was, but I saw his last fight with Franklin… What a damn KO. He seems like a potential champion. Why not test him?”

Since their confused encounter, Chisora ​​has demanded an immediate rematch with Wilder, who will likely face an alternate opponent in his next fight.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Jared Anderson withdraws from May 9 fight with a torn bicep

Published

on

Image: Jarrell Miller Claims Jared Anderson Pulled Out of Their September 13th

Ring Magazine reports that Anderson withdrew from his fight with Solomon Dacres after suffering a bicep injury. The 10-round heavyweight bout was scheduled for Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

Anderson (18-1, 15 KO) was looking for another step back after a knockout loss to Martin Bakole in 2024. Instead, the 26-year-old now faces another delay at a bad time in his career.

The fight at Dacres was not a world-class test, but it had value. Anderson needed rounds, activity and a consistent win on a major heavyweight card. Now that’s gone, and the injury gives critics more room to question where his career is headed.

The reaction from boxing fans was fierce, with several responses pointing out Anderson’s injury history and durability. Some questioned whether his body would hold up in the heavyweight division. Others suggested he might have to consider considering the cruiserweight division if physical problems persist.

It may be tough, but it’s the kind of failure that changes the way you view your prospect. Anderson still has talent, but he’s no longer talked about as a pure future heavyweight star. Now he’s trying to prove he can stay vigorous long enough to rebuild.

Moving to Queensberry and fighting in the UK seemed like a desperate attempt to find a novel environment that could boost his confidence. But this bicep injury is a disaster because it adds another year of rust to a psyche that already looked feeble. You won’t rebuild your self-confidence at the gym.

A torn bicep effectively means Jared Anderson’s career will be in frigid storage until the end of 2026. Recovery from this type of surgery usually takes six to nine months before a player can even think about hitting a full-power shot with that hand.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending