Raymond Muratalla vs. Andy Cruz Gomez & Khalil Coe vs. Jesse Hart + Madrimov vs. Salazar RBR.

Cruz would be better in a lower weight class.

 

Gotta respect a guy for actually fighting at his natural weight tho. He’s what a lightweight should look like.

 

I had Muratalla edging this fight 7-5. Some very high level boxing from both men which made for a very enjoyable chess match. I was one of those people who was very high on Cruz and wasn’t that impressed with Muratalla initially but huge credit for Muratalla for proving me wrong. Muratalla fought a great game plan and proved that he’s elite level. Cruz was clearly not used to going 12 rounds, let alone against a top level opponent, but he did well all things considered. This loss won’t hurt him at all and it will be a great learning experience for him moving forward. Wouldn’t mind seeing a rematch between these guys in the future.

 

1. Cruz
2. Cruz
3. Muratalla
4. Cruz
5. Cruz
6. Muratalla
7. Muratalla
8. Cruz
9. Muratalla
10. Cruz
11. Cruz
12. Muratalla

115-113 Cruz

Favoured Cruz but not mad at all with Muratalla 'the champion' winning. In theory, either boxer could have won and the punch stats back that up.

Cruz had better scoring shots, timing, defence, accuracy. Fighting mainly on the back foot, the gameplan looked amatuer-ish against a well seasoned pro in Muratalla. Cruz was hardly definitive enough to surely stamp his name on the belt.

Muratalla had the ring generalship and affective aggression on his side. Looking the more imposing fighter overall, he handled Cruz difficult style admirably. Muratalla ate too many shots in the exchanges, though the stats show he delivered plenty too. I don't believe he broke Cruz down like he said in the post fight interview.

Admittedly I'm a Cruz fan, so a little mad he was matched up unnecessarily like this. So early on in his career. Taking a risk was not needed but I believe in a couple more fights he will be past this level which is impressive anyway. Extremely bright, slightly green prospect needing more time and possibly needs to think about the size disadvantage.

Enjoyable high level fight, no immediate rematch required yet. It will be interesting when/if cross paths again soon though.

 

Good breakdown, the same score as I had it, with a couple of differences in the rounds, it’s pleasing to see someone else had it in a very similar fashion to me after seeing the majority of scorers go on Muratalla’s favour. Like yourself I appreciated the aggression and imposing style and have no real complaints with the outcome, just the scoring.

 

I had it 116 to 112 Cruz and in a very close round I will lean toward the one moving forward and pressuring but I just found myself going wow ok Muralla was aggressive but he got popped more than he gave...by a bit by a bit i gotta lean to cruz for that one. No big problem with Muratalla winning as he fought a great fight himself. But I agree Muratalla was eating shots that were cleaner and some of the Murtalla body attacks weren't impacting weren't quite connecting. but many close rounds and looking forward to seeing both of them continue on their journeys. Was great to see a fight where the referee was barely needed. It says something about the skills of Cruz that I found myself edging close rounds to him, because I factor the aggression, but aggression is not the same thing as ring generalship. anyways no tragedy here congratz to Muratalla two high level pros good stuff