Albert Bell and Andy Cruz have both committed to fighting a title eliminator.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the fighters’ lightweight matchup was formally ordered by the IBF on Thursday. The development occurred mere hours after Cruz – through Matchroom Boxing – informed the sanctioning body that he was willing to face Bell for the right to become the 135lbs mandatory challenger.
Bell, a 28-0 (9 KOs), native of Toledo, Ohio, accepted the IBF’s invitation the moment it was received by career-long manager and local promoter Victor Green.
Cuba’s Cruz, 6-1 (3 KOs), verbally expressed interest upon receipt Monday and officially confirmed his availability earlier Thursday.
Both sides were instructed to immediately enter negotiations.
It says a lot about Cruz that he is taking on this tough assignment shortly after his first pro defeat. A 2020 Olympic gold medalist, Cruz came up short in his title challenge of IBF 135lbs beltholder Raymond Muratalla, 24-0 (17 KOs), on January 24 in Las Vegas. Cruz now has a chance to avenge that defeat, as a win over Bell would put him directly in line for a rematch with the undefeated titlist Muratalla.
Timing was on Cruz’s side to maintain his place in line.
Prior to this matchup being sought, the same opportunity was offered to Canada’s Lucas Bahdi, 20-0 (15 KOs). As previously reported by BoxingScene, Bahdi’s team declined the invitation; he will instead focus on a potential vacant WBA title fight versus Floyd Schofield.
Regardless of the opponent, Bell was fully committed to travel this route.
A 33-year-old, 6ft contender, Bell moved up to lightweight after failing to secure a title shot at 130lbs. Making the lighter weight was less of an issue than wasting his time in a division where he couldn’t get the support of the sanctioning bodies.
That is no longer an issue, as the IBF is fully committed to setting up a new No. 1 contender at lightweight.
