Andy Cruz entered the pro ranks with lofty expectations after a highly decorated amateur career that included winning a gold medal at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics for Cuba.

After a rapid rise, the unbeaten Cruz has arrived at by far his most significant test to date when he faces undefeated IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on DAZN.

Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs), 30, cemented himself as the mandatory challenger in his last bout when he dropped Hironori Mishiro twice and won by fifth-round stoppage in an IBF title eliminator. Cruz, who turned pro in 2023, is ranked No. 5 by The Ring in its lightweight rankings.

Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) of Fontana, California, won the interim IBF title with a one-sided unanimous decision victory over Zaur Abdullaev on May 10. Muratalla, 29, who is No. 3 in The Ring’s lightweight rankings, was elevated to world champion after former three-division titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko announced his retirement and relinquished the belt.

Last fight: Defeated Mirshiro by fifth-round stoppage on June 14 at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York.

Odds: Muratalla is a sizable favorite at -275 odds, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

How does Cruz win? Cruz’s jab and straight right hand are his best weapons, and he’ll have to find a home for both consistently if he’s going to dethrone Muratalla.

Cruz uses his jab to maintain range or set up his straight right hand. He uses his straight right hand in a multitude of ways, including to counter his opponents.

If Cruz can take away Muratalla’s jab by countering it with his straight right hand, it’ll help make the reigning champion’s offense much more predictable. It can also set the table for Cruz to find success with other key weapons, including his right uppercut.

Cruz’s footwork and ability to manage range will also be vital to his success. He leans heavily on it to get out of range, and if he can get Muratalla to overcommit, Cruz’s footwork could help him set traps to land power shots that can keep him in control of the fight and position him to win his first world title.

What does it mean if Cruz wins? Becoming a world champion in your seventh fight is nothing to scoff at, let alone achieving the feat against an opponent of Muratalla’s caliber.

With a win over Muratalla, he could have a strong claim as the best 135-pounder in the world if Shakur Stevenson has no plans of coming back down to lightweight. With Cruz still being so young in his pro career, he may only be scratching the surface of his potential and could be well-positioned to be atop the division for the foreseeable future.

What they’re saying: “[Muratalla] will realize that it won’t be as easy as he believes it will be. When I go into that ring, I believe my [skill] level is superior to whatever challenge he can bring. I believe not just my talent, but all that hard work I’ve put in, is perfect. I believe that my intelligence in that ring will nullify whatever he brings. That’s not to say he isn’t a good fighter. He’s a good fighter. I think it will be a really entertaining fight for the fans, but with the same ending as always.”

TV/Stream: Muratalla vs Cruz will stream live on DAZN at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.