Raymond Muratara trainer Robert Garcia delays Andy Cruz’s fight: IBF lightweight champions look for other opponents

Raymond Muratara trainer Robert Garcia says Muratara will not defend the IBF lightweight title against essential challenger Andy Cruz until the sanctions group orders the fight.

IBF title defense stalled

Carlos Linares Report Muratara trainer Robert Garcia said he won’t fight Andy Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs). They prefer to defend the IBF belt against another California fighter jet. It is unclear who his opponent will be for Muratara (23-0, 17 Kos), but it is possible that someone was ranked lower in the IBF top 15.

It’s no surprise that Muratara, promoted by Top Rank, doesn’t defend Cruz. When Muratara was promoted to IBF Champion status on June 9th, there was already speculation that his promoter would choose him a simple opposite and allow him to hold the belt as long as possible.

Search for Muratara’s next opponent

The IBF is to decide to decide which orders Muratara to take defense against Cruz. Muratalla could have been up to a year ago before the IBF ordered the fight. That time gap is perfect for top rank, as Raymond will be able to get two simple title defenses against softbottom residents, like Maxi Hughes and Diego Torres.

Andycruz became an IBF lightweight mandatory on June 14, 2025, knocking out Hironori Mishiro in his fifth round. The talented cruise is believed to have targeted the IBF title as it was thought that it would be faster to win title shots than chase the WBC title held by Shakur Stevenson.

Cruz ranks number one in the WBC. However, Shakur does not want to fight Andy. Stevenson is seeking a payday fight with Gervonta Davis, and he runs around Cruz, defending fewer fighters.

Andy Cruz: The 135 pound king without the crown

Cuba’s Cruz, a gold medalist at the 2020 Olympics, has been a fighter jet that has been considered an inevitable fighter since becoming an expert in 2023. That’s a sign Andy Cruz is the uncrowned king Lightweight division.

It might take Cruz years to get a title shot against Shakur if he chooses to go in that direction, as it’s not the fight he’s given. Again, Cruz is definitely the uncrowned king of the 135 pound division. Shakur is Doll King.