CUBAN amateur sensation Andy Cruz seems well poised to replicate his success in the professional ranks. The 29-year-old has promised a refreshing attitude and mentality during any future reign as a world champion.
Cruz, 6-0 (3 KOs), won three World Amateur Championships as well as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medal before turning over to the professional circuit in 2023.
In the short time that has passed since his debut, Cruz has skyrocketed to the peak of the lightweight rankings. He knocked out Hironori Mishiro last month to become the IBF mandatory challenger after just six professional outings.
Yet, despite initial rumours that Cruz could challenge for a world title in November, it seems as though newly crowned IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla, 23-0 (17 KOs), has snubbed a showdown with Cruz for now.
Instead, recent reports suggest that Cruz could face William Zepeda at the end of the year, even though the latter is already scheduled to challenge Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title this weekend.
On his Instagram, Cruz insinuated that he had been avoided by Muratalla and vowed to never act in such a way if he one day gets his hands on a world title.
“The day I become world champion; I will defend my title against whoever. It is because that is what championships are for – to defend them, no matter who it is [against].
“These so-called champions [are] looking for excuses to avoid facing anyone and prefer to seek alternatives.
“Boxing is for fighters, not names.”
With November all but ruled out for Muratalla-Cruz, Muratalla is expected to attempt a first defence of the IBF world title with a voluntary before the end of the year, before agreeing to face Cruz in early 2026.
At present, names such as Floyd Schofield, Lucas Bahdi, Maxi Hughes and Mark Magsayo stick out as possible opponents for Muratalla’s first attempted title defence.
