Andy Cruz still chasing Raymond Muratalla rematch after loss

Cruz calls for second fight after disputed decision, but IBF eliminator against Albert Bell now blocks the path

Andy Cruz is still pushing for a rematch with Raymond Muratalla after their close January decision. First, he must get through Albert Bell in an IBF eliminator that will determine his position in the title picture.

The Cuban contender said he believed he beat Muratalla in their January bout, but knows he must first handle unbeaten Albert Bell in an IBF lightweight eliminator to earn another shot at the title.

Cruz lost a majority decision to Muratalla in a close fight that produced mixed scorecards of 118-110, 116-112, and 114-114. Punch numbers were tight as well, with CompuBox crediting Cruz with 176 landed shots, one more than Muratalla.

“I think it was a great fight. From my viewpoint and experience, I thought I won the fight,” Cruz told The Ring. “But overall, I think I gained a lot from it.”

“I feel that I needed to be a little bit more aggressive and finish strong, especially in the 11th and 12th rounds, in order to convince the judges of my performance.”

That honesty may help his standing with fans, but it does not change the result. Muratalla kept the belt and now controls whether a rematch happens.

Muratalla looked massive in that ring, and his “ace-first pressure was exactly the kind of physical bullying that wins over judges when a technical boxer like Cruz doesn’t close the show.

Scoring it a draw would have made more sense. Cruz was landing the cleaner, sharper shots, but in the pros, the guy walking forward usually gets the benefit of the doubt in the close ones.

After the fight, Muratalla said Cruz was too small for top-level lightweights. Even promoter Eddie Hearn floated the idea of Cruz moving to 130. Cruz is not ready to give up on lightweight yet.

“My ideal weight is 135 pounds. But who knows, for the right fight, I might go down to 130 pounds,” he said. “I want the Muratalla rematch for my career, but I can’t control what Muratalla decides to do.”

Before any of that can happen, Cruz must beat Bell. Bell is unbeaten, awkward, and experienced enough to spoil plans. Cruz needs a clear win this time. Another close night would leave him waiting again.

The chances of a voluntary rematch are basically zero. Muratalla and Robert Garcia have no incentive to get back in the ring with a slick Cuban who already proved he can make the champion look ordinary for long stretches.

Muratalla is laser-focused on Shakur Stevenson. His team is already vocal about wanting that fight at 135, and with Shakur holding major leverage and looking for big names, Muratalla sees that as his lottery ticket fight.

The Top Rank-promoted Muratalla is outgrowing lightweight fast. He’s likely looking for one more name defense or a unification before abandoning the division entirely. If he moves up, he leaves Cruz and the IBF belt in his rearview mirror.

Cruz is a nightmare for any champion. He’s technically superior to almost everyone in the division, but he doesn’t bring the massive commercial draw that justifies the risk of a rematch. Muratalla would rather milk that majority decision win and move on to a $2 million to $3 million payday against someone like Shakur or even Teofimo Lopez at 140.

The 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz is currently stuck in an elimination situation. He recently agreed to terms to face Albert Bell this summer in an IBF eliminator. Bell is 6’0”, undefeated, and notoriously awkward.

If Cruz wins that, he becomes the mandatory again. But even then, Muratalla will likely vacate and move up to 140 rather than face Cruz a second time. Cruz’s best bet is to dominate Bell, pick up the vacant IBF title when Muratalla leaves, and then try to hunt him down at 140 once he’s established himself as a pro champion.

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