StadiumPosts Logo
Stay upto date with notifications from Stadiumposts
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences

RAYMOND MURATALLA - ANDY CRUZ FIGHT OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED FOR JANUARY 24 IN LAS VEGAS

Raymond Muratalla will defend his IBF lightweight title against unbeaten mandatory challenger Andy Cruz on January 24 at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. Matchroom Boxing won the promotional rights.

Raymond Muratalla - Andy Cruz fight officially confirmed for January 24 in Las Vegas
Fireworks ahead! Muratalla-Cruz showdown set for January 24 Vegas - Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

According to reports, Raymond Muratalla and Andy Cruz have a confirmed date and venue for their title fight.

The former two-time Olympic gold medallist Cruz will defend against IBF lightweight champion Muratalla on January 24 at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.

The news was initially reported by BoxingScene.com.

Top Rank, Muratalla's handler, placed the sole other bid, but Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, Cruz's promoter, outbid them for the right to hold the fight. Top Rank bid $550,000, Matchroom bid $888,888.

Muratalla will get 65% of the winning price, or $577,777.20. Cruz is going to receive $311,110.80.

The 28-year-old Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) will be defending his 135-pound title for the first time. On May 10, he defeated Zaur Abdullaev to win the interim edition of that title. Since Vasiliy Lomachenko abruptly retired, he has been promoted to full champion.

Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs) became the mandatory challenger for that title after thrashing Hironori Mishiro in Madison Square Garden in New York on June 14 and stopping him in the fifth round.

REVENGE AND REIGN: MIKAELIAN MASTERCLASS UNSEATS JACK FOR WBC CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE

Noel Mikaelian corrected a "debatable" first fight by using his smart jab and combinations to defeat Badou Jack via a clear unanimous decision for the WBC title.

top-news
Mikaelian Sets Up Massive Clash with Benavidez/Ramirez Winner

Noel Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KOs) has finally grabbed that world title he's been chasing for a year, beating Badou Jack (29-4-3, 17 KOs) by unanimous decision. The win at CMH 2: Rematch Season secures him the WBC Cruiserweight World Championship for the second time.

After a tight, debated first fight, Mikaelian came to Los Angeles ready to leave no room for doubt. He used his jab, constant combinations, and smarts in the ring to control the fight from start to finish.

“We fixed it. This time, I got my hand raised,” Mikaelian said, celebrating in front of his fans.

“It felt like home having so many fans here. I'm happy to show how important mental health is—it means a lot because of what I've been through.”

Jack, a two-time world champ, came with his usual aggression but couldn't get his game going. “He gets dirty. He was pushing with his head, and the ref didn’t say anything. He was also holding my hand. I had to change my plan. I don't get angry in the ring, but you have to let loose sometimes,” Mikaelian explained.

Looking back, Jack gave props to the new champ. “This wasn’t my best night, but no excuses. He was better tonight, dirty tricks or not. I thought I had a great training camp; he did too. I don’t need to prove anything. I’ve done it all. I love to fight, so we’ll see what happens.”

With this win, Mikaelian not only got the world title but also set himself up for a possible fight with David Benavidez, but only if Benavidez beats Gilberto Ramirez on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Fight Highlights – Main Event

From the start, Mikaelian’s jab set the tone, keeping Jack away and landing good counters. For the first three rounds, Mikaelian was in charge, setting the pace and making Jack defend.

Around the middle of the fight, Jack tried to put on the pressure, working inside and forcing them to hold each other. But Mikaelian’s quick counters and footwork stopped Jack from gaining any ground.

In the later rounds, Mikaelian stayed calm and in control. He threw more punches, landing clean combinations and taking advantage of openings when Jack got too aggressive. These attacks showed Mikaelian’s control and how he planned the fight. When it was over, the judges' scores showed a clear win for Mikaelian: 116-110, 116-110, 115-111.

Rising Stars Shine on the Undercard

Jonny Mansour (6-0, 2 KOs) honoured his mother, who passed away, with a solid unanimous decision over Marco Antonio Jaurez (12-10-3, 5 KOs).

“We aren’t promised tomorrow. "Everyone wants money and success, but you will be remembered for how you loved your family," Mansour said.

Robert Daniels Jr. (9-2, 8 KOs) is back with a first-round knockout of Tristan Hamm (1-3, 1 KO), making it eight KOs in a row and showing his power at cruiserweight.

Brook Sibrian (9-2, 4 KOs) won the vacant WBC International Light Flyweight Championship, beating Gloria Munguilla (8-3) by majority decision, turning around last year’s loss.

“It all started when I lost to her earlier this year. It’s been a great ride, and I’m happy to end the year on a high note,” Sibrian said.

Julius Ballo (2-0), moving up two weight classes, scored a knockdown in the fourth round and took a unanimous decision over Juan Centeno (10-25-4, 2 KOs), showing he’s more experienced than he is.

Other fighters who won on the undercard include Devi Davitan, Samvel Gandillian, Angel Lozano, Isaac Anguiano, and Sergio Herrera, who gave Jose Vargas Quintana his first loss, proving that CMH 2 brings together top talent and up-and-coming fighters.

DEONTAY WILDER'S COMEBACK BLUEPRINT: DERECK CHISORA WARM-UP PRECEDES DREAM FIGHT WITH USYK

Deontay Wilder aims to return to form by fighting Dereck Chisora, framing the bout as a crucial "warm-up" to prepare for a massive, potential clash with Oleksandr Usyk next year.

top-news
Wilder Calls Out Chisora to Rebuild Momentum for Major Bout

Deontay Wilder aims to have a warm-up match before a possible fight with Oleksandr Usyk next year.

Wilder used to dominate the heavyweight division with his powerful right hand. He knocked out his first 40 rivals but was stopped by Tyson Fury, who had a draw in their first fight and then defeated Wilder in the next two.

Since then, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ lost to Joseph Parker on points and Zhilei Zhang by a fifth-round stoppage in 2024. This year, he had only one fight—a simple knockout of Tyrrell Herndon in June.

He got a break this week when two-time undisputed champion Usyk said he wants to face Wilder before retiring.

Wilder told ESNews that he’s interested in fighting Dereck Chisora beforehand to sharpen his skills.

“Derek Chisora, if you want to fight, let’s do it. That might be my warm-up fight. I’ll see what people think. We were going to fight years ago, but I had some legal issues that stopped me from traveling. It was supposed to happen, but it didn’t, so this is a chance to make it happen.”

Chisora has fought 49 times and has been waiting to pick his 50th and final rival. Wilder would be a tough test at this point in his career but could be the kind of big fight that gets Chisora excited enough to perform his best.

Premier League Standings

WhatsApp Read More News