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Philippines, 16 Feb 2026 |
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MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES PhilBoxing.com Fri, 23 Jan 2026  Eddie Hearn “Welcome to the beautiful Fontainebleau here in Las Vegas ahead of a huge night of World championship boxing this Saturday night, live and exclusive on DAZN. “Andy Cruz is looking to add to his amateur World championships and Olympic Gold medal with his first World title as a professional, and does so against IBF Lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla, while there’s plenty of bad blood between Khalil Coe and Jesse Hart in a co-main event. “There’s a great undercard with great talent, with two of our youngest guys who we believe will go on to become World champions themselves in Zaquin Moses and American Olympic medalist Omari Jones, and it’s great to see Israil Madrimov back in action and looking to get back to World title action again this year.” Raymond Muratalla “All the hard work is done, I feel great and I’m ready for Saturday. I want the big fights, I’m the champ and I’m defending champion on Saturday and I want to get past this and get the bigger fights going. “He has experience but I think six fights, it’s too soon for him and I’m going to show that on Saturday. And still.” Andy Cruz “I was born for these types of events. On Saturday I get the chance to show that. It’s an opportunity that has come my way and I’m looking forward to taking advantage of that on Saturday night. “With every camp that I go into, I’ve always been conscious of the fact that with each new fight becomes more difficult, and that’s been reflected in my camp this time. It’s been really intense, difficult and strong, because I know I am facing Raymond Muratalla in a really tough fight for me. “This is like my Olympic final in the professional game. It’s a huge opportunity for me to go and win a World title on Saturday night, and it’s one I will not let slip away. Once I get my hands on the World title, it will not slip away. And the new. I’m conscious of the quality of my opponent, he didn’t win that title by chance, but tomorrow he’ll have to enjoy his final night with the belt.” Robert Garcia, Raymond Muratalla’s trainer “It’s a great thing that Matchroom and Top Rank are making great fights,it’s something boxing needs, the promoters to unite and do the big fights. “I respect Andy, he’s won gold medals and he’s 6-0 challenging for a world title, that says a lot about him, he’s got the heart to do it. But I do have the champion and I know what I have, he’s ready for whatever they bring to the table. “We don’t want to reveal anything but it’s going to be a great fight. We’re in great shape, Andy looks great too, and I know we’re ready to take home the win.” Bozy Ennis, Andy Cruz’s trainer “Andy is ready. I know he’s going up against a great fighter and I respect his trainer also. We’re just ready to fight, I don’t do too much talking, I just love the fight. “I think this is his moment right now, he’s done everything you can do in the amateurs. I haven’t taken anything away from him, I’ve just added on. We are going to be ready, may the best man win but for sure I believe my guy will be the winner.” Evan Korn, Top Rank “Thank you Eddie, and all the team at Matchroom for the hospitality as always. This is a huge fight for Raymond, and seeing all the promotion and the great content team of Matchroom, a lot of the narrative is Andy Cruz wanting to reunite with his son and another one of our fighters, Keyshawn Davis, but he has a hell of a tough task in Raymond. He’s got the best trainer in the world in Robert Garcia and he’s been developed expertly by our matchmakers, and it’s a tall task for Andy. A lot of people say it’s a tall task for Raymond, he’s the betting underdog, but we don’t see it that way. It’s six fights in the pro game for Andy and his seventh is going to be his hardest by a long shot.” Khalil Coe “I’m excited. He’s been talking so much shit on Instagram, I don’t do all that. The face-to-face was totally different. I’m here, I’m ready, I’m excited. “(On the rematch with Gallegos) We went in there and made it look easy which was what we were supposed to do the first time, and we’re looking to make another statement on Saturday. “He said I’m a pressure fighter and I don’t know how to fight going backwards. He clearly hasn’t seen any of my work. He’s going to learn on the job on Saturday. “We’re going to fight on Saturday then go to Philly for a Cheesesteak, I’m always in Philly, buddy! Don’t run from me.” Jesse Hart “I’m here, I’m ready to fight, all systems go. I’m in tremendous shape and we just have to see on Saturday night. “It’s me being me. That’s it. I’m always confident in everything, that’s who I am as a man, I walk around like that. I don’t think he has the minerals to beat me.” Israil Madrimov “I am here and coming back to work. I had some injuries after my last fight but I’m feeling good and ready to fight. We are going to have a great night on Saturday. “I have big plans this year, but Saturday is first in my mind, but then we’ll see. I want belts and big names.” Luis David Salazar “I’ve been an avoided fighter in the past, but I’m very experienced. This fight is a challenge for me and I’ve had a loot of tests in both the amateurs and professional ranks. Saturday will go down in history as you will remember the story of David and Goliath, and you will remember that on Saturday night and that I will come out victorious.” Omari Jones “I’m more than ready for this, it’s what I’m in the sport for. I have been to the Olympics and fought in front of 15,000 people so this is a stepping stone for me, I know he’s coming to fight but I’m here to show levels. My team believe in me, Matchroom believe in me, so we took this fight for a reason. “We want to be tested and go rounds. A lot of my fights have been short, we’ll see how long this one lasts, but I’m here to show levels and I don’t believe he has been in with a fighter like me, and I’m coming in to go to work.” Jerome Baxter “I want to thank you Eddie for the opportunity to showcase my talent and I’m just here as the underdog from Pennsylvania to represent and show what Pittsburgh is all about. “I’m an experienced fighter, he’s not the only Olympian I’ve faced, I’ve been in the amateur circuit and I’ve seen all different fighters and styles, so I am prepared and ready to show what I’ve got to show. “This is a once in a lifetime chance and it’s all for my Mom and my sister, I lost both of them last year to cancer and that’s what has brought me here. I’ve been battling that and I’m going to keep fighting hard and show it on Saturday night.” Zaquin Moses “I’ve been I Las Vegas training for a long time and I’m ready to go, ready to shine, and I can’t wait for Saturday night. “He can expect a beating on Saturday, I’m going to showcase my skills and I’m ready to punch somebody. “I’m up first and I’ve got to handle my business, then Shakur will handle his business next weekend in New York, and then we can celebrate.” Leandro Medina “We will see you on Saturday, we’ve had a great camp and there’s nothing more to say but see you on Saturday.”  |
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