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Muratalla rejected the suggestion that he tried to avoid the fight. He instead leaned on experience, pointing to a longer professional career and a higher number of fights as the difference between him and Cruz.
“The experience that I have. I think that plays a huge role,” Muratalla said in an interview with Boxing in the match room. “My mindset once I get in the ring. It clicks for me and connects.”
Cruz enters the fight as the betting favorite. The Cuban player is still early in his professional career, but his amateur past continues to define how his opponents and punters perceive him. Cruz won gold at the 2020 Olympics and beat Keyshawn Davis four times in the amateur competition, including in the Olympic final.
When asked directly if he thought Muratalla wanted the fight, Cruz was blunt.
“From the beginning, I didn’t,” Cruz said. “They know what they want for his career. But I’ve come to take it all.”
Cruz’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said Muratalla had an opportunity to face Cruz last year, but negotiations were stalled because of money. Muratalla then explored voluntary defense before the IBF intervened and ordered compulsory defense, effectively removing that option.
Muratalla disputes the idea that he refused anything.
“I wanted to have these fights,” Muratalla said. “I wanted to get this belt just so I could have fights like this. I’m definitely heading towards this fight, and bigger fights after this one.”
Cruz maintains, however, that previous negotiations never progressed.
“Because I signed the contract to participate in the fight, and we didn’t get a response from the other side,” he said.
Muratalla’s response was simple.
“I never received a contract,” he said. “I’ve never received one until now.”
With the bond finally in place, the debate over who wanted the fight is no longer theoretical. This will be settled in the ring on January 24.
