The boxing world is buzzing with anticipation as the highly-anticipated Raymond Muratalla vs. Andy Cruz title fight faces yet another twist. But here's where it gets intriguing: the purse bid process has been delayed by a week, leaving fans and experts alike wondering what's next for these two rising stars. Originally scheduled for a hearing this Thursday, the IBF 135-pound title fight has been pushed back to October 23, following a joint request from Top Rank and Matchroom Boxing, the promoters behind Muratalla and Cruz, respectively.
This extension, while not uncommon in the sport, raises eyebrows given the fight's prolonged negotiations and the presence of a solid offer on the table. And this is the part most people miss: the delay comes at a critical juncture, with both fighters' careers hanging in the balance. Muratalla, the undefeated IBF lightweight champion (23-0, 17 KOs), had initially planned to explore a voluntary defense before committing to Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs), a 2020 Olympic gold medalist for Cuba.
The fight was even rumored to be part of the November 22 Riyadh Season show in Saudi Arabia, but the IBF's mandate for Muratalla to fulfill his mandatory obligations by December 5 has complicated matters. Muratalla's journey to this point is worth noting: he claimed the interim IBF 135-pound title in May 2023, defeating Russia's Zaur Abdullaev, and was later elevated to full champion status after Vasiliy Lomachenko's unexpected retirement in June.
Speaking of Lomachenko, his decision to leave the sport opened doors for both Muratalla and Cruz. Cruz, in particular, benefited from this shake-up, becoming the mandatory challenger after stopping Hironori Mishiro in June. However, with the purse bid delay, Cruz's team must now tread carefully, as any deviation from the IBF's plan could result in a six-month ban from IBF-sanctioned fights and a drop from the top-10 rankings.
Here's a controversial take: Is the IBF's handling of this situation fair to both fighters, or is it prioritizing its own interests over theirs? As we await the October 23 hearing, one thing's clear: the Muratalla-Cruz saga is far from over. What's your take on this delay? Does it favor one fighter over the other, or is it a necessary evil in the complex world of boxing promotions? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, as well as expert analysis on other burning topics, such as Boots Ennis' opponent choices and Bakhram Murtazaliev's struggle for high-profile fights.
