Andy Cruz States That Raymond Muratalla Won’t Have An Easy Fight

2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics gold medallist, Andy Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs), has risen up the IBF lightweight rankings after his final eliminator. And now, he is all set to face Raymond Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) for the IBF lightweight title. Muratalla might be a far more experienced fighter, but he shouldn’t expect an easy fight, or so says Cruz.

Talking to Ring Magazine, Cruz admitted that his skills are far superior to those of Muratalla.

“He will realize that it won’t be as easy as he believes it will be. When I go into that ring, I believe my [skill] level is superior to whatever challenge he can bring. I believe not just my talent, but all that hard work I’ve put in, is perfect,” he said.

Cruz stated that his intelligence in that ring will nullify whatever Muratalla brings. However, this does not mean that he is calling him a bad fighter. In fact, with his opponent’s skill set, he is certain that the fans are in for an interesting fight regardless.

Cruz secured this fight after beating Hironori Mishiro via a 5th-round TKO. It could be said that Mishiro was also a more experienced fighter, given the number of fights. A factor that might come into play during his fight against Muratalla.

With barely a few days left for the fight, Cruz admits that sending a message on fight night is what he has always wanted to do.

“It’s what I always wanted to do. It was my main objective when I came to the U.S., and I’m just one step away from that now. It’s practically done. It’s practically there. I just need to go out on the 24th and show what I’m made of and show that nothing is gifted to you in life,” he said.

“The Door’s Always Open”

This does not mean that he has forgotten the callout from Keyshawn Davis. Talking to the Ring Magazine, he pointed out Davis’ inability to move beyond callouts.

“If my son wants to meet me again, the doors are always open. But it’s the other way around,” he said. Moreover, he also asked him to prove himself in his upcoming fight against Jermaine Ortiz. “I’ll be in the front row. Make me proud. I’ll be there.”

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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