Lead
On Saturday night, January 24, 2026, at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, Raymond Muratalla narrowly beat Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz by majority decision (114-114, 116-112, 118-110) to retain the IBF lightweight title. Muratalla (24-0, 17 KOs) used sustained pressure and strong body work to pull ahead in the championship rounds. Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs) showed the speed and jab that made him a standout amateur but could not consistently impose his game over 12 rounds. The result leaves Muratalla with a stronger claim to being the division’s top 135-pound fighter ahead of pending movements by other champions.
Key Takeaways
- Raymond Muratalla retained the IBF lightweight title via majority decision: judges scored 114-114, 116-112 and 118-110 on Jan. 24, 2026, at the Fontainebleau, Las Vegas.
- Muratalla improved to 24-0 with 17 KOs; Andy Cruz fell to 6-1 with 3 KOs after his seventh professional title challenge in just his seventh pro year.
- Judging was contested: one card (118-110) drew widespread disagreement while two cards favored Muratalla by margins of four and two rounds, respectively.
- Muratalla’s late-round pressure — notably rounds 11 and 12 — was credited by observers as decisive in a fight where many early rounds were razor-close.
- Cruz relied on a stiff jab and right-hand counters from range; Muratalla found success with inside combination punching and heavy body work over 36 minutes.
- With Shakur Stevenson scheduled at 140 for a WBO fight next weekend, the lightweight landscape could produce a Muratalla vs. Stevenson unification if Stevenson returns to 135.
- Top Rank represents Muratalla and WBO champion Abdullah Mason, which could simplify a domestic unification, but the promoter lacks a current U.S. broadcast partner — a commercial hurdle.
Background
The fight paired an unbeaten IBF champion, Raymond Muratalla, against Andy Cruz, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist who entered the bout after a fast professional rise. Muratalla had been elevated to IBF world champion the prior June after Vasiliy Lomachenko’s retirement and defended the title tonight in front of a Las Vegas crowd. Cruz earned a mandatory position following a stoppage win over Hironori Mishiro in June and arrived with elite amateur credentials and high expectations.
Both fighters were ranked in the lightweight top five entering the bout, making the match an early definitional test for the division. The broader lightweight picture is in flux: WBO champion Abdullah Mason won his belt in November, and Shakur Stevenson is committed to a 140-pound WBO title fight next weekend in New York. Those movements create immediate unification possibilities if weight decisions and broadcast logistics align.
Main Event
The 12-round title fight was competitive from the opening bell. Muratalla imposed front-foot pressure early and forced Cruz to fight off the back foot for stretches, while Cruz repeatedly used a sharp jab and right hand from distance. The beginning rounds traded momentum, with Cruz finding rhythm in the open rounds and Muratalla answering through inside work and body shots.
As the middle rounds unfolded, Muratalla’s body targeting began to slow Cruz’s output, but Cruz responded in Rounds 8 and 9 on the advice of trainer Derek “Bozy” Ennis and had a brief surge. Neither fighter created a sustained lead; rounds were frequently close and swung by small sequences rather than one-sided dominance.
In the championship rounds Muratalla increased his pressure, landing combinations and control punches that many observers credited for the fight’s turning point. Judges delivered a majority decision with two cards for Muratalla and one even tally. One judge’s 118-110 score drew notable criticism for its breadth compared with the bout’s competitiveness.
Analysis & Implications
Muratalla’s win strengthens his standing among lightweights. With a clean record now extended to 24-0, he has arguable momentum to seek fights with other top names. The performance highlighted his ability to mix pressure, body work and inside combinations — key attributes for success against slick boxers who rely on jab and mobility.
For Cruz, the loss is a learning moment rather than a sign of collapse. As a relative novice in the pro ranks, Cruz displayed elite timing, a disruptive jab and southpaw angles; the bout exposed areas — sustained forward control and handling persistent body work — that he and his camp can refine. He remains a high-level prospect with a fast professional trajectory.
On the business side, potential unification bouts are contingent on multiple factors. If Shakur Stevenson returns to 135 as he indicated on the DAZN broadcast and if contractual and broadcast issues can be resolved, a Muratalla-Stevenson clash would be a top-tier fight. Alternatively, a domestic matchup with WBO champion Abdullah Mason would be more straightforward promotional-wise but still requires a U.S. distribution plan for Top Rank.
Comparison & Data
| Item | Raymond Muratalla | Andy Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Record (after fight) | 24-0, 17 KOs | 6-1, 3 KOs |
| Judges’ scores | 116-112, 118-110 | 114-114 (one card) |
| Finish | Majority decision | Majority decision loss |
The table above condenses the bout’s headline figures. Statistically the fight was close on a round-by-round basis; observers and round-by-round tallies showed frequent splits across the middle rounds, with Muratalla pulling slightly ahead late.
Reactions & Quotes
“I want to fight the biggest fights. I would like the winner of Shakur and Teo,”
Raymond Muratalla
Muratalla said he is eager for unification opportunities, calling out the top names in the division immediately after the decision.
“[Muratalla] can’t fight going backward,”
Derek “Bozy” Ennis, trainer for Andy Cruz
Ennis cited tactical instructions he gave Cruz mid-fight, urging forward positioning to negate Muratalla’s pressure; Cruz had some success when following that game plan but could not sustain it consistently.
Stevenson told DAZN he expects to return to 135 after his scheduled WBO fight at 140 next weekend.
Shakur Stevenson (DAZN broadcast)
Stevenson’s expected weight decision reshapes short-term unification scenarios at lightweight.
Unconfirmed
- No formal negotiation has been announced between Muratalla and Shakur Stevenson; interest has been stated publicly but terms remain unreported.
- A date, site, or signed agreement for a potential Muratalla vs. Abdullah Mason fight has not been confirmed despite shared promotional ties.
- Details about any imminent broadcast deal for Top Rank in the U.S. following tonight’s card remain unverified.
Bottom Line
Raymond Muratalla’s narrow majority-decision win over Andy Cruz preserves his IBF reign and elevates his profile among 135-pound contenders. The fight underlined Muratalla’s capacity to apply effective pressure and finish rounds strongly, traits that serve well in potential unification bouts.
For Cruz, the bout offered high-level experience and tactical lessons rather than immediate derailment; he remains a compelling figure in the division. The broader lightweight picture will hinge on Stevenson’s post-140 plans and how promotional and broadcast logistics play out for prospective unification matches.
Sources
- Yahoo Sports — media report and round-by-round coverage
- DAZN — broadcast remarks from Shakur Stevenson (broadcaster)
- Top Rank — promoter information and fighter representation (promoter)