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
Tom Galm has been covering the global boxing scene since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, business trends and fighter psychology.
Deontay Wilder appears to be in talks for his next appearance, which may include negotiations with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.
The former WBC heavyweight champion scored a split decision victory over Derek Chisora in April, scoring two knockouts in a mostly close 12-round fight.
Chisora’s triumph therefore came at a critical moment, although many remain convinced that the 40-year-old should implement his retirement plan.
An imminent departure from the sport, however, seems increasingly unlikely as the ‘Bronze Bomber’ is currently considering a possible rematch with fellow veteran Chisora.
Unlike Wilder, Chisora promised that their first meeting would be his last fight, believing that his 50th professional fight would be a suitable event from which he would retire.
However, the way their clash ended inspired the 42-year-old to demand an immediate rematch, hoping for a more favorable outcome next time.
I’m talking to Daily mail boxChisora managed to get a response from Wilder via FaceTime, and the American expressed interest in withdrawing him.
“Hell yes. We’ll make it happen.”
Chisora added that he intended to speak to Hearn, suggesting he was a free agent with the promotion and wanted to strike a deal with the Matchroom boss.
However, although he verbally agreed to a rematch, there is of course no guarantee that Wilder will ultimately put pen to paper.
Elijah Holyfield, son of former undisputed heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, won his first WWE Evolve match on June 3, defeating Kai Kavari in the company’s developmental program.
According to material published by Bleacher ReportHolyfield ended the fight with a right hand and pinned Kavari. WWE calls the finisher “The Uppercut”, a move modeled after his father’s boxing. Pro Wrestling Dot Net reported that the fight lasted 1 minute and 14 seconds.
According to SEScoops, Holyfield went through a series of Stinger Splashes and Spinebusters before delivering the final blow.
His father, a former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, built much of his ring identity on body striking and combination work during a career spanning the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
From the NFL to the ring
Holyfield’s path to WWE didn’t go through boxing. He played running back at the University of Georgia and signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and later spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals. He appeared in one regular-season NFL game during the 2020 season.
A 2022 knee injury he suffered while on the Bengals’ roster ended his football career and redirected him toward wrestling.
WWE path
Holyfield signed a WWE developmental contract in November 2024. He competed in the first season of the WWE reality show LFG (Legends and Future Greats), where he mentored The Undertaker and earned a contract that placed him on the Evolve brand.
His ring debut was delayed due to injury. According to multiple wrestling outlets, he suffered a torn bicep in delayed 2025 and required surgery. He is 27 years ancient.
The June 3 episode of Evolve was taped at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida and streamed on Tubi in the United States.
On Thursday, Matchroom Boxing announced that Taylor will return to Dublin’s Croke Park on September 5 to defend her WBO, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles against undefeated French challenger Flora Pili. The vacant WBC title is also at stake, giving Taylor a chance to become a three-time undisputed champion.
The event will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN and is expected to attract over 80,000 fans to Ireland’s national stadium.
“It seems like the perfect way to end – to become Undisputed Champion once again on our national stadium that holds such a special place in Irish hearts. I’m grateful that this is happening and I can’t thank the people of this country enough for the support I’ve received over the years.
“People have traveled all over the world following my career and I hope I can return the favor with a confident performance on September 5. I have no illusions that Flora will pose a very arduous challenge; she is undefeated as a professional and has a good amateur pedigree, so I have the utmost respect for her.
“I have been blessed to have achieved more in this sport than I could have ever dreamed of, but fighting in Croke Park is truly the icing on the cake. I hope this event inspires a whole recent generation to take up sport and follow their passions.”
Taylor enters the fight with a 25-1 record. The event, which will take place on September 5, will be the first professional boxing event held in Croke Park since Muhammad Ali fought Alvin Lewis there in 1972.
Pili brings an undefeated record of 12-0 to the fight and will be looking for the biggest victory of his career. Tickets go on sale June 12 via Ticketmaster, with pre-sales starting earlier this week.
If successful, Taylor will retire as a three-time undisputed champion.
Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist covering this sport since 2014, providing reports from the ring and technical analyzes of the most critical fights. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments and the details that shape high-level competition.
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