Cruz’s next assignment will come in an IBF lightweight title eliminator against Albert Bell, with the winner sitting pretty as Muratalla’s mandatory challenger.

Muratalla (24-0, 17 KOs) edged the win against Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs) with scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 114-114 in a competitive contest that was nearly identical in the punch stats category, as CompuBox credited Cruz with 176 total landed punches, one more than Muratalla.

“I think it was a great fight. From my viewpoint and experience, I thought I won the fight. But overall, I think I gained a lot from it,” Cruz told The Ring.

“I had the right preparation for the fight. I feel that I needed to be a little bit more aggressive and finish strong, especially in the 11th and 12th rounds, in order to convince the judges of my performance. I don't like losing, but I believe I gained the support of the public, and the fight prepared me to be better moving forward.”

After the fight, Muratalla quipped that Cruz was too small to be competing against world-class lightweights. The sentiment was somewhat echoed by Cruz promoter Eddie Hearn, who wondered if a move to junior lightweight would better serve the 30-year-old Olympic gold medalist.

“My ideal weight is 135 pounds. But who knows, for the right fight, I might go down to 130 pounds,” said Cruz. “I want the Muratalla rematch for my career, but I can't control what Muratalla decides to do, if he wants to move up in weight or not even give me the rematch.”

Cruz is ranked No. 4 by The Ring at 135 pounds. The idea of a rematch against Muratalla remains out of the question unless he beats the experienced Bell (28-0, 9 KOs).

“There are no weak fighters,” said Cruz. “Bell might be taller, but I feel that I will be ready and be the winner this time.”