“Really, in that fight, I fought like I was the champion, and he was the challenger,” Andy Cruz said to the BoxeoCurbanoNetwork. “What happened was I got comfortable. I could have taken a little more risk, but I said, because he was the champion, I’m not going to risk getting hit with even one punch. I wanted to beat him clean. I wanted my punches to be the cleanest. I think I was the more effective fighter, but I’m conscious that when you fight a champion, you have to go well above the champion.”
Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs) dropped a 12-round majority decision to Muratalla in a fight that many fans viewed as closer than the official scores of 118-110, 116-112, and 114-114. It was the first professional defeat of Cruz’s career and his first bout scheduled for 12 rounds.
Despite the setback, Cruz said he came away with valuable experience and remains eager to settle unfinished business with the IBF lightweight champion.
“I wanted the rematch immediately, but it’s going to happen this way, and that’s fine with me,” Cruz said. “I can’t complain because I’m being given an opportunity to fight for a title soon if I get through this eliminator. What I can say is that he knows he won’t be facing the same Andy Cruz.”
Before a second fight with Muratalla can become a reality, Cruz must first get past Albert Bell (28-0, 9 KOs) on July 18 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The bout is an IBF lightweight title eliminator.
The winner will move into position for a shot at Muratalla, who is scheduled to defend his IBF lightweight title against Robson Conceicao on August 1. If Muratalla retains the belt and remains at lightweight, the Bell-Cruz winner would be in line to challenge for the championship.
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