Robert Garcia knows how hard Raymond Muratalla worked to become a world champion.

Hours and hours in the gym, blood shed in the ring, and the sweat outside of it, Garcia has been there for it all. However, even though Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) is proud to have accomplished his goal, Garcia doesn’t believe he’ll stick around for too long at lightweight.

Ultimately, though, before that day comes, Muratalla will attempt to defend his crown against Andy Cruz. Matchroom recently won the purse bid to stage their 135-pound IBF title fight and are eyeing a date in early 2026.

Muratalla won't shy away from the Olympic gold medalist. But once that fight is behind them, 135 might be a thing of the past.

“We’ll decide after we go through training camp and after the fight,” Garcia told Tha Boxing Voice on their YouTube channel. “But there’s a big possibility that this will be our last fight and he will go to 140.”

Cruz’s career has been on the fast track since he turned pro in 2023. In his most recent outing, he grabbed the IBF’s mandatory position after winning a final eliminator against Hironori Mishiro on June 14, at the Theater in New York’s Madison Square Garden. Things were too easy for Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs) on the night, as he needed just five rounds to get rid of his Japanese opponent.

Muratalla beat Zaur Abdullaev in May to become the interim belt holder before being elevated to full champion status following Vasiliy Lomachenko’s retirement. He has always dreamed of facing the rest of the division’s top names. Cruz qualifies as such, but according to Garcia, they already have their eyes on junior welterweight.

“Making weight won’t be easy, but he’ll make it,” Garcia continued. “But I think he’ll be a lot stronger at 140.”