Albert Bell finally has a willing foe on his quest for title contention.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the unbeaten lightweight Bell has agreed to terms for an ordered IBF lightweight title eliminator versus Andy Cruz. A date and location are still being sought for the attractive contest, though it is believed that the fight will land on a Matchroom Boxing show in June or July.
The winner will become the next mandatory challenger for current IBF 135lbs titlist Raymond Muratalla, 24-0 (17 KOs), who is currently afforded a voluntary defense for his next fight.
Muratalla recently retained his title in a clear-cut 12-round decision win over Cruz, 6-1 (3 KOs), on January 24 in Las Vegas.
Cruz saw the value in accepting an otherwise awkward matchup against the 6ft Bell. A win will put him on a path to avenge his lone defeat.
A 2020 Olympic Gold medalist for Cuba, Cruz became the mandatory challenger after a knockout win over Hinorori Mishiro last June 14 in New York City. A win over Bell will put him back in the same position.
With that, Cruz agreed to commit to the IBF-assigned negotiation period with Bell, 28-0 (9 KOs), a native of Toledo, Ohio, who has struggled to line up relevant opponents.
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 clash with Floyd Schofield Jnr, though the bout is pending the status of the WBA lightweight title.
Still, Bell had an open lane with the IBF and was willing to run the gamut in order to move forward with a final eliminator. He 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, given the IBF’s commitment to setting up a new No. 1 contender at lightweight.
