Andy Cruz is one victory away from another shot at the IBF lightweight title.
Journalist Carlos Linares reports that Cruz will face unbeaten contender Albert Bell on July 18 in Carson, California, in an IBF lightweight final eliminator. Linares added that the winner will become the mandatory challenger for the victor of the August 1 title fight between IBF champion Raymond Muratalla and former two-division world champion Robson Conceição.
Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs) has unfinished business in the division after dropping a 12-round majority decision to Muratalla on January 24. The official scores were 118-110 from Max DeLuca, 116-112 from Steve Weisfeld, and 114-114 on the third card.
The wide margins on two of the scorecards sparked debate among boxing followers, with many viewing the contest as considerably closer than the official verdict suggested. Cruz consistently found success with his sharp counterpunching and movement against Muratalla’s pressure, and some observers believed the Cuban had done enough to earn at least a draw.
Before Cruz can pursue a rematch, however, he must first overcome Bell (28-0, 9 KOs), an unbeaten contender who enters the biggest fight of his professional career. Bell earned the opportunity after positioning himself near the top of the IBF rankings, while Cruz has rapidly climbed the ladder following a decorated amateur career that included Olympic gold.
With Muratalla preparing to defend his title against Conceição, the IBF lightweight picture is beginning to take shape. Cruz now stands one win away from another chance to prove that his first encounter with the champion was closer than the scorecards indicated.
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Last Updated on 2026/06/10 at 5:42 PM
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