The light-weight division typically attracts a lot curiosity, with Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson typically dazzling.
The division has now taken one other twist, with Eddie Hearn revealing to The Ring that the IBF has ordered Raymond Muratalla to defend his belt towards necessary challenger, Andy Cruz.
IBF orders Raymond Muratalla to defend light-weight title towards Andy Cruz
Muratalla’s and Cruz’s groups have been in negotiations to face one another on the stacked Ring VI card on November 22 in Saudi Arabia, stay on DAZN.
These talks failed to succeed in a conclusion, and Muratalla moved on, hoping to face Floyd Schofield, who will now face Joseph Diaz on November 8.
Chatting with The Ring, offering the newest improvement, Hearn mentioned:
“The IBF ordered the struggle (on Thursday).”
“Muratalla turned down the struggle in Saudi Arabia. We had an important monetary alternative to do the struggle on the November 22 card however Muratalla couldn’t comply with a deal. Now we will have a handbag bid and see what it goes for. I don’t care, as a result of Andy Cruz goes to struggle for a world title.
“It’s a large alternative towards an important fighter in Muratalla. It’s an amazing struggle and we need to win that bid and maintain that struggle in January.”
Muratalla vs Cruz
Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) received the IBF interim light-weight title earlier this 12 months when he comfortably defeated Zaur Abdullaev by unanimous choice (119-109 x2, 118-110). The 28-year-old was then elevated to the total titleholder following the retirement of Vasiliy Lomachenko.
“Hazard” punches in quick bunches, makes use of his toes effectively, and throws from quite a lot of angles. He additionally likes to counter, and when Cruz does miss the goal, it’s very important he makes the Cuban pay.
Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs) is the No. 1-ranked challenger with the IBF. He has tailored impressively to the skilled ranks after an illustrious novice profession.
Below the tutelage of Bozy Ennis, Cruz has racked up spectacular wins towards Antonio Moran, Omar Salcido, and, final outing, towards Hironori Mishiro.
In opposition to Mishiro, Cruz produced a career-best efficiency within the professional ranks, as he was nearly punch-perfect, stopping the Japanese fighter within the fifth spherical. Cruz-Muratalla, ought to it’s made, is an intriguing matchup of two unbeaten fighters. A win for both will transfer them on to potential unification fights and different large bouts.
