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.
Jake Paul’s claim that he found $200 million specifically for a potential fight with Canelo Alvarez sparked a direct response from the Mexican champion.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer was scheduled to collide with Canelo in May 2025, but Turki Alalshikh stepped in and signed the then super middleweight king to a multi-fight contract.
It made Alvarez a two-time undisputed champion against William Scull before losing his four major titles in a unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford last September.
However, since Crawford announced his retirement and vacated the belts, Canelo is scheduled to fight for the world title in September this year in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
The most likely opponent seems to be WBC champion Christian Mbilli, who is coming off a fascinating draw with Lester Martinez on the Canelo-Crawford card.
However, despite this plan, Paul appears to be trying to get back into his game with the 35-year-old, insisting that a $200 million purse remains up for grabs.
The 29-year-old revealed the news on a live broadcast earlier this week, suggesting it is the “biggest fight” in boxing.
“Canelo, I have $200 million for you. Uncomplicated money. Jake Paul vs. Canelo – let’s finish it. This is what the fans have been waiting for; this is the biggest fight you can have in boxing. I think this will be the next fight.
Jake Paul just said Canelo Alvarez will be his next fight and he will pay him $200 million 🤯
“This is the biggest fight you can have in boxing. Jake Paul vs. Canelo. Official.” pic.twitter.com/QJRLuPjO9r
Jake Paul responded to Canelo Alvarez after the undisputed super middleweight champion previously reacted to talk of a potential fight between the two with laughing emojis on social media.
While greeting fans and media during a public appearance this week, Jake was asked what financial terms he believed would be needed to make the fight happen.
“Yes, 200 [million] for him 300[millionformeWe’llfinalizethedealEasywork”-PaulsaidintheinterviewwithFightHubTVwhenaskedaboutapossibledealCanelo[millionformeWe’llgetthedealdoneEasywork”saidPaultoFightHubTVwhenaskedaboutapossibledealwithCanelo[milionówdlamnieSfinalizujemytransakcjęŁatwapraca”–powiedziałPaulwrozmowiezFightHubTVzapytanyomożliwąumowęzCanelo[millionformeWe’llgetthedealdoneEasywork”saidPaultoFightHubTVwhenaskedaboutapossibledealwithCanelo
The comment immediately drew attention due to the huge figure associated with the fight. Jake has continued to call for a fight with Canelo over the past year, despite criticism from many boxing fans and fighters who viewed the fight as unrealistic.
Jake was then asked about Canelo and responded with laughing emojis when the topic of a fight between the two came up online.
“I don’t know what that means, but he won’t laugh when I kick his ass,” Paul said.
The rivalry between the two continues to escalate publicly through interviews and exchanges on social media, even though no official negotiations have been announced.
Jake has mentioned Canelo multiple times in interviews over the past year, keeping the possibility of a future fight circulating despite widespread skepticism in boxing circles.
Canelo is currently scheduled to face Christian Mbilli later this year in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, while Jake continues to rehabilitate from injuries suffered in his December 2025 fight against Anthony Joshua.
Tomek Galm is a boxing journalist covering the global fight landscape since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, industry trends and fighter psychology.
This is his first assignment since he lost two of his closest friends in a car accident in Nigeria, where he was also involved in the tragic incident.
Naturally, he spent the next few months recovering from his injuries, although Joshua now appears to be getting closer to a showdown with Fury.
Meanwhile, “The Gypsy King” has already finished his pre-fight, ending a 16-month break with Arslanbek Makhmudov, whom he outpointed by unanimous decision last month.
Shortly after the triumphant victory, Fury called out Joshua, who was sitting at ringside, refusing to take part in the fight.
But at the same time, Harrison did he told Sky Sports that he saw a fire in the 36-year-old’s eyes, dazzling enough to suggest he was ready for the task ahead.
“From a boxing point of view, it’s a sexy fight because style makes fight.
“[Joshua] he can’t win the fight by trying to box Fury – he has to go in there, break him down and try to eliminate him. This is the only way he can win this fight.
“You’re fighting a champion boxer who knows how to slip [and] slide. after [Makhmudov] fight…he [Joshua] he looked at Fury [with intent].
“When they get into that fight, he’s going to take the fire – everything he went through after his friends died.”
Despite getting back into the win column after back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, Fury clearly wants to enter his second warm-up fight.
Whether that happens remains to be seen, but he certainly wouldn’t be willing to risk a potential clash with Joshua.
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