Raymond Muratalla outmuscles Andy Cruz in Las Vegas
IBF champ shows pro game levels, plus Zuffa's dire debut and heavyweight happenings
A quiet weekend of boxing that should’ve featured Moses Itauma fighting sees a world title defence for Muratalla, a victory for Callum Walsh, and not much else.
Raymond Muratalla Wins Pts 12 Andy Cruz
Exactly what a world title fight should be. Muratalla was worth his narrow victory for my reckoning (not sure what the 118-110 card was all about). The fight reminded me of a high-level chess match, much like Erislandy Lara-Brian Castano in 2019. Bit of a niche reference for you.
At the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Saturday evening, there were frequent shifts in momentum. Calm and composed, Muratalla used his size and strength to take centre ring and force Cruz to fight. The Cuban did exactly that, but it was a step too far in just his seventh fight as Muratalla retained his IBF lightweight title.
Elsewhere on the card, Khalil Coe picked up a majority decision victory over Jesse Hart after 10 rounds of messy mauling. Coe was deducted a point in the third for a WWE body slam. Hart lost one in the sixth for persistent holding.
Israil Madrimov posted a functional 10-round points win over Luis David Salazar.
Omari Jones floored Jerome Baxter in round one but was made to earn his 60-53 UD.
Zaquin Moses won a six-round shutout over Leandro Damian Medina. The Argentine was dropped in round four.
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Callum Walsh Wins Pts 10 Carlos Ocampo
The only way is up for Zuffa Boxing after this dire debut offering. With maturity and greater experience, Walsh can be a solid contender. It’s no knock on his abilities. This show was too long, though and lacked spark.
I saw it compared to Pro Box, but it is not yet at that level. Pro Box cards are always extremely well-matched for entertaining bouts. I did like the clear contrast in fighters’ shorts and the production values were spot on. Plenty of work is needed inside boxing’s newest ecosystem.
Other news and notes from the past week…
In other Zuffa happenings, their newest signing, Jai Opetaia, will return to the ring on March 8. The Aussie IBF cruiser champ faced off with WBC king Noel Mikaelian at a recent event, ahead of a potential unification clash.
Frank Warren has poured cold water over a potential Chisora-Wilder fight, touted for Sky Sports PPV, by stating that Chisora is contracted to Queensberry Promotions.
It looks like Tyson Fury will return to the ring around late April/early May with a revitalised Arslanbek Makhmudov as the front-runner opponent. Let this be the last run of Fury with no more faux retirements.
Image Credit: Fight Mag and BoxingScene
About Steve…
Current existence: Boxing writer, eLearning educator.
Previous lives: Online editor at Boxing News Magazine. Author (8 books), podcaster (500+ eps), scriptwriter for Motivedia channel, newspaper journalist, copywriter & educator.
Contact: stevenwellings1982@gmail.com