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Six fights until the title fight

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Image: Why Top Rank Isn't Rushing Raymond Muratalla into a Fight with New Mandatory Andy Cruz

What six fights say

Cruz looked acute with restricted exposure. His Cuban foundation is evident in the way he moves and controls distance. Bozy Ennis claims that he did not try to rebuild Cruz’s style, but only complemented it. This sounds reasonable until you remember that it hasn’t been tested by anyone who could exploit the vulnerabilities in this approach.

Muratalla brings another problem. He is not a polished boxer, but he applies pressure and forces his fighters to fight in close quarters. If Cruz can keep him at bay and get off his back foot, things could go smoothly. If Muratalla drags him into exchanges and makes it ugly, we’ll learn more about Cruz in one night than in six fights combined.

The IBF recognizing this fight as a title fight says more about the organization’s priorities than Cruz’s readiness. Alphabetical titles are awarded based on rankings, which change for reasons no one outside the office can track. Cruz may be a future champion, but putting him in this spot is like building hype before confirming the fundamentals.

Cruz is ready

“This fight is the most crucial fight of my career,” Cruz said in training footage published by Matchroom. “At that point I just had to prove it and that’s what I’m doing, put on a great performance and remain champion that night.” He calls himself a champion before he won the belt. Either self-confidence or promotional thinking dominates.

He added: “Since I came to the United States, I have always known that I had what it takes to be here. I am aware that each fight will be more tough for me. As I climb the ranks, the fights become more and more tough. This is my first shot at the title, so the preparation for each camp has to be more intense, with more desire and with more heart for me to achieve my goal.”

Consciousness exists, but consciousness and experience are not the same. Cruz also said something worth noting: “My style comes from Cuba. So instead of changing it, I made adjustments, combining Cuban boxing and the boxing style learned here can give good results. Talent without work is nothing.”

This fight will either confirm that Cruz belongs at this level or expose him as a prospect who was pushed too quickly. Muratalla is not a name fighter, but he has fought tougher opponents. If Cruz handles him cleanly, the hype will start to look justified. If he struggles, we’ll go back to figuring out why he was in this place in the first place.


Date: Friday, January 24, 2026
Start time: 19:00 ET (12:00 GMT on Saturday)
Streaming platform: Live on DAZN
Premises: Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona

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Boxing

Bill Haney commented on the Keyshawn Davis situation, says Shakur Stevenson’s fight is the most significant

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Image: Bill Haney Addresses Keyshawn Davis Situation, Says Shakur Stevenson Fight Comes First

“This man said he wanted the number 144,” Bill told Fight Hub TV. “He said, ‘We’ve got to sit down like businessmen and make this happen,’ right? Well, we’ve already sat down like businessmen. We’re ready to make it happen.”

Elder Haney also rejected suggestions that the catchweight proposal would represent a sudden change of plans.

“It’s not so sudden. 144 is a welterweight. Are you crazy or what?” Haney said. “At welterweight, we range from 140 to 147.”

As the conversation turned to Keyshawn Davis and his position as a top contender for the WBO title, Haney repeatedly pointed to what he believed to be a better opportunity.

“What is the most significant boxing fight going on right now?” Haney asked. “Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney.”

Haney acknowledged that Davis remains part of the bigger picture, but pointed out that Stevenson’s matchup has been years in the making.

“This case has been brewing for seven, eight, nine, 10 years, whatever it was,” Haney said. “Just rest and we’ll get it done. He’s on the list. He was on the list before he was on the list, and he’ll stay on the list.”

Time will tell if the fight comes to fruition, but Bill Haney’s comments were perhaps the strongest indication yet that Team Haney is sedate about racing Stevenson at the proposed catchweight of 144 pounds.

The situation could become more complicated if the WBO formally orders Haney to fulfill his mandatory obligation to Davis. Until then, it appears the Haneys are turning their attention to what they believe is the biggest fight available.

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Oscar De La Hoya says Gervonta Davis doesn’t deserve to have an undefeated record before her comeback

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Oscar De La Hoya says that Gervonta Davis does not deserve undefeated record ahead of comeback

Oscar De La Hoya believes Gervonta Davis’ professional record should see a loss ahead of his potential comeback fight.

It is said that the 31-year-old is in negotiations for a fight for the WBA lightweight title with Floyd Schofield Jr, offering “Tank” the opportunity to regain his elderly belt.

Davis defended his world title after: controversial draw with Lamont Roach in March 2025, but has since become the sanctioning body’s “halt champion” at 135 pounds.

This is partly due to his passivity, but also to the American’s problems outside the ring, where he faced accusations of domestic violence.

However, it currently appears that Davis could return to action soon, with a potential fight with Schofield set for September or October.

These negotiations involve Schofield’s promoter, Golden Boy boss De La Hoya, who insists that “Tank” should suffer his first professional defeat in the match against Roach.

Their match ended in a draw after referee Steve Willis ruled against a knockdown in round nine when Davis clearly touched the canvas following a shot by Roach.

As a result, De La Hoya said Fighting Hub TV that Roach should have back-to-back victories over “Tank” and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, whom he boxed in December to a less controversial draw.

“Roach is a great fighter in his own right. He has some really good wins under his belt. I say he wins because I think he really won against ‘Tank’ Davis and I think he did a great job against ‘Pitbull.’

If Davis and Schofield’s respective teams are unable to reach an agreement by June 22, their mandate quarterback will be sent to a bidding hearing.

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Shakur Stevenson accuses Devin Haney of ‘false public negotiations’ after £144 settlement

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Image: Shakur Stevenson Accuses Devin Haney of "Fake Public Negotiations" After 144-Pound Agreement

Potential negotiations between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson have taken another public turn after Stevenson accused his rival of engaging in “false public negotiations” following Haney’s latest comments on social media.

Haney appeared frustrated after previously agreeing to Stevenson’s proposed catchweight of 144 pounds, suggesting that even accepting those terms did not bring the fight any closer to becoming a reality.


“144 is not enough…I still don’t want to fight! Damn…@ShakurStevenson,” Haney wrote X.

Shakur later responded by dismissing this public exchange as a impoverished reflection of how main event fights actually unfold.

“The same thing you all did with Rolly. All those counterfeit public negotiations… The real negotiations take place offline.” I am the truth that you will see when you stand before me!!” Shakur posted.

Shakiur previously considered 144 pounds to be a fair compromise in a potential showdown with Haney, who has competed at welterweight in his most recent outings. Haney then signaled his willingness to accept the catchweight offer, sparking optimism that one of boxing’s most talked-about fights could gain momentum.

The latest exchange came shortly after the WBO confirmed that Haney must either defend his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis or risk losing the belt. While neither Haney nor Stevenson directly addressed the situation in their recent posts, the article did add another note to any future negotiations involving the former two-division world champions.

With Haney facing a WBO title decision and Shakur insisting that stern negotiations will take place behind closed doors, the pressure is now on both camps to determine whether the fight can go beyond an online exchange.

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Categories Devin Haney, Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson

Last update: 2026/06/12 at 21:45

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