Muratalla Edges Cruz In Las Vegas Lightweight Thriller

Boxing fans were treated to a masterclass in skill, grit, and championship heart on Saturday night as Raymond Muratalla retained his IBF World Lightweight title with a majority decision win over Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Las Vegas. The bout, which many had circled as a potential classic, lived up to the hype and then some, with both fighters showcasing the very best of the lightweight division.

Muratalla, hailing from Fontana, California, entered the ring with an undefeated record (24-0, 17 KOs) but found himself labeled the underdog against Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs), a Cuban sensation whose amateur pedigree and recent power surge had the oddsmakers leaning his way. Yet, when the final bell rang after twelve fiercely contested rounds, it was Muratalla who heard the words every champion craves—“and still!”—as he made his first successful title defense.

The judges’ scorecards reflected the razor-thin margins and competitive spirit of the contest: Tim Cheatham scored it 118-110, Steve Weisfeld had it 116-112, both for Muratalla, while Max DeLuca saw it even at 114-114. The majority decision was a testament not only to Muratalla’s relentless pressure and body work but also to Cruz’s resilience and technical brilliance.

“I’m a champion. At the end of the day, I came here to do what I was supposed to do, and I got the win tonight,” Muratalla declared in the ring, brimming with pride and relief. He credited his victory to a calculated game plan: “I was just putting pressure. I knew he wasn’t gonna be able to handle it and taking him to deep waters for 12 rounds, he wasn’t able to handle it. … I wasn’t falling into his traps and I was breaking him apart, breaking him down round by round.”

Muratalla’s approach was clear from the opening bell. He pressed forward, using smart footwork and high-level body punching to keep Cruz uncomfortable. While Cruz, guided by renowned trainer Derek “Bozy” Ennis, showcased his trademark jab and slick combinations—especially in the mid-to-late rounds—it was Muratalla’s experience and ability to dictate the pace that ultimately tipped the scales.

Cruz, a 2021 Olympic gold medalist who has taken the pro ranks by storm, was gracious in defeat. “I said there was a reason why he was a world champion. And you know, today, he beat me, and I’ve not really got much more to say,” Cruz admitted post-fight. Despite the loss, Cruz’s stock remains high. He boxed well off the back foot, landed sharp counters, and even outlanded Muratalla by a single punch according to CompuBox stats—176 to 175. However, Muratalla’s power punches (112 landed to Cruz’s 99) and relentless pressure swayed the majority of the judges.

The fight was also a tactical chess match between two elite trainers: Robert Garcia in Muratalla’s corner and Bozy Ennis with Cruz. Garcia’s preparation and corner advice proved decisive, helping Muratalla maintain focus and energy during the championship rounds. As the rounds wore on, Muratalla’s experience in tough gym wars and regional circuits became apparent. “I don’t care what his background was, who he was, where he’s from. It didn’t matter to me. I was in that gym working hard here to win, and I did that,” Muratalla reflected, underscoring the mental toughness that set him apart.

From the opening round, Cruz’s speed and sharpness were evident. He snapped off jabs, switched stances, and landed crisp right hands. But Muratalla’s body work and ability to absorb punishment without losing momentum kept him in command. Rounds ebbed and flowed, with Cruz gaining traction in the eighth and ninth after advice from Ennis to hold his ground. Still, Muratalla answered with combinations to the body and head, never allowing Cruz to seize full control.

As the final rounds approached, the tension in the arena was palpable. Both fighters traded heavy shots, and neither was willing to back down. The twelfth round saw Muratalla land a right hand that backed Cruz up, while Cruz fired back with his own sharp counters. It was a fitting end to a bout that saw both men pushed to their limits.

Muratalla’s victory not only cements his place atop the lightweight division but also opens the door to even bigger fights. He made it clear he has his eyes on the winner of next weekend’s anticipated showdown between Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez. “I want to fight the biggest fights. I would like the winner of Shakur and Teo,” Muratalla said, signaling his intent to unify titles or even move up to 140 pounds in the near future.

The undercard delivered its own share of drama and rising stars. Khalil Coe edged out Jesse Hart in a majority decision in a light heavyweight grudge match, with scores of 96-92, 95-93, and 94-94. Coe, who came in heavy, used his size and power to outlast the veteran Hart, who started strong but faded in the later rounds. The bout was scrappy and occasionally marred by infractions, prompting referee Thomas Taylor to dock both fighters a point for separate fouls.

Uzbek standout Israil Madrimov returned to the ring after battling pneumonia, securing a unanimous decision win over Luis David Salazar (99-91 on all cards). Madrimov’s skills were evident, though his conditioning is still a work in progress. He nonetheless celebrated with his trademark back somersault, much to the delight of the crowd.

American prospects Omari Jones and Zaquin Moses also impressed, each winning shutout decisions. Jones, an Olympic bronze medalist, dominated Jerome Baxter, scoring a knockdown and winning every round (60-53 on all cards). Moses, training alongside his cousin Shakur Stevenson, dropped Leander Medina in the first and controlled the bout throughout, also earning 60-53 scores from all judges. Both young fighters showcased the depth of American talent rising through the ranks.

As the dust settles in Las Vegas, Raymond Muratalla stands tall as the man to beat at 135 pounds. With his blend of pressure, skill, and championship mentality, he’s proven he belongs among the elite. For Andy Cruz, the setback is just another chapter in what promises to be a long and successful career. Boxing fans can only hope the next chapter in this division brings even more fireworks—and perhaps the unification showdowns everyone craves.