Muratalla vs. Cruz Prediction & Picks: IBF Lightweight Title at Stake in Vegas

A battle of contrasts looms Saturday night in Las Vegas, as IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla will look to defend his title versus Andy Cruz at Bleau Live Arena. Muratalla vs. Cruz, as well as the other four fights on the card, can be seen live globally on DAZN, the home for many top title fights.

Muratalla enters this title defense with a 23-0 record in his pro career, with 17 of his wins coming by way of knockout. He will put his record and belt on the line against Cruz, who also owns a perfect record as a pro but in 17 fewer fights.

But despite Muratalla having the belt and the edge in professional experience, top online sportsbooks such as Lucky Rebel see Cruz as a firm favorite for the fisticuffs at the Fontainebleau.

Who will emerge victorious in Vegas, and how should you bet this bout? Get (in) DAZN so you can watch all of the action, then read on for our Muratalla vs. Cruz prediction and picks.

Muratalla vs. Cruz Odds

Muratalla vs. Cruz Prediction and Picks

Muratalla became the IBF interim lightweight champion last May when he defeated Zaur Abdullaev by unanimous decision in San Diego, and the interim tag was removed when Vasily Lomachenko called it a career weeks later.

His matchup with Cruz will be his first title defense, and if the bout plays out according to the odds, it will be his only title defense.

Three of Muratalla's last four fights have gone the distance, including his debut at 12 rounds against Abdullaev. Still, his best shot to see off Cruz is to try to finish him early.

Unfortunately, that outcome is highly unlikely. The challenger may still be fresh in the professional ranks, but Muratalla vs. Cruz odds underline his status as a highly-rated talent for the present and future. DAZN's website offers an excellent breakdown of Cruz's previous fights and his profile as a fighter, and Cruz's style presents a real problem for a fighter whose preference is to finish fights early.

This will be just the second 12-round bout for both boxers, and with that and Muratalla's likely approach in mind, value-hunting bettors might find interest in going for the under 11.5 rounds and perhaps even the under 10.5 rounds.

If Muratalla has to hunt a knockout in the later rounds, that will open him up to being on the receiving end of that result himself. That isn't Cruz's specialty, but if he has an opening, he will take it. Cruz to win by decision is the favored result, but I foresee him finishing a tired and vulnerable Muratalla and claim the world title without having to rely on the judges' scorecards.

Muratalla vs. Cruz Fight Information

• Matchup: Raymond Muratalla (23-0, 17 KO) vs. Andy Cruz (6-0, 3-0 KO)
• Location and Venue: Bleau Live Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Time: Fight card coverage on DAZN will begin at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time). Ring walks for Muratalla vs. Cruz are set for 11:09 p.m. ET (8:09 p.m. local time).

Complete Fight Card for Muratalla vs. Cruz

The card for Muratalla vs. Cruz features four other fights, all of which will air live on DAZN.

• Super Featherweight: Zaquin Moses vs. Leandro Medina
• Super Welterweight: Omari Jones vs. Jerome Baxter
• Light Heavyweight: Khalil Cox vs. Jesse Hart
• Super Welterweight: Israel Madrimov vs. Luis David Salazar
• Lightweight (Main Event – Title Bout): Raymond Muratalla vs. Andy Cruz

How to Watch Muratalla vs. Cruz

DAZN is the destination to catch the entire Muratalla vs. Cruz card and many other major boxing events, including next week's blockbuster between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson.

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Viewers can watch all of these events and all other free and subscription DAZN content on their laptop or PC or on mobile via the downloadable DAZN app, which is available for both Apple and Android devices.