“Andy, I suspect he might transition to 130 pounds since he manages to hit that weight class with considerable ease,” Hearn conveyed to reporters. “When one faces a formidable and powerful 135-pound opponent, that kind of sustained pressure can, at times, pose significant challenges.”
Hearn indicated that Cruz felt disappointed with how he performed, mentioning that his coaching team desired a greater attacking drive in tightly contested rounds. He elaborated that Cruz primarily fought defensively, staying on his back foot for most of the encounter, making it challenging to unequivocally score rounds in his favor when facing an adversary who maintained relentless aggression.
“I believe he isn’t content with how he fought,” Hearn stated. “My impression is that Bozy would have preferred him to show increased aggression and unleash more punches. He simply didn’t perform to the required standard that evening.”
This defeat represented Cruz’s inaugural twelve-round contest and his initial foray into a world championship match since embarking on his professional career. Having originated from an amateur environment focused on brief exchanges and accumulating points, Cruz has dedicated his initial professional years to adapting to lengthier battles against rivals who leverage their physicality, power, and continuous offensive output.
In the lightweight category, Cruz competes within a weight class frequently inhabited by physically robust pugilists who are adept at initiating and sustaining confrontations across a full twelve rounds. Muratalla’s persistent assault and seasoned background played significant roles in the bout, and Hearn subsequently observed that Cruz must incorporate the insights gained from this setback as he progresses.
“His subsequent showing will reveal whether this opportunity came too soon for him,” Hearn commented. “We will ascertain the extent of what he has absorbed from tonight’s experience.”
Hearn conveyed that no definite choice has been reached concerning Cruz’s subsequent adversary or the division he will compete in. He added that Cruz’s performance in his upcoming fight will be instrumental in deciding if a transition to the 130-pound category is incorporated into future strategies, as Cruz persists in adjusting to the demands of professional boxing after experiencing his initial defeat.
