It appears that Albert Bell finally has a path to move within one win of a long-sought title shot.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the IBF has contacted representatives for both Bell and Lucas Bahdi with the intention of ordering a lightweight title eliminator. Both parties have three days from Monday’s notice to inform the sanctioning body of their availability.
“Be advised that #5 rated Lucas Badhi and #6 rated Albert Bell are the two highest ranked available contenders in the IBF Lightweight division,” IBF Championships Chairman George Martinez stated in an official letter obtained by BoxingScene. “In an effort to determine the mandatory contender in the division, the IBF is ordering an elimination bout between these two contenders. The winner of the bout will be the mandatory challenger and #1 contender in the division.”
Sources familiar with the development have informed BoxingScene that Bell, 28-0 (9 KOs), has already accepted.
Bahdi, 20-0 (15 KOs), will have 72 hours to weigh his options – and is admittedly in a more favorable position to choose his next path.
The unbeaten 32-year-old from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is also the No. 2 contender with the WBA and awaiting word of the title availability at lightweight. Gervonta Davis was downgraded to “Champion in Recess”" given his mounting legal troubles.
However, the WBA has yet to proceed with next steps – presumably a vacant title fight between Bahdi and top-rated contender Floyd Schofield, 19-0 (13 KOs).
It is clear that Schofield is going the WBA route. The unbeaten Austin, Texas-based contender is rated third at 135lbs by the IBF, two and three spots ahead of Bahdi and Bell, respectively.
Nevertheless, Bell is now in a better position to challenge for a major title than ever before.
The 33-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, endured years of frustration as a 6 ft top-rated contender at 130lbs, only for the sanctioning bodies to never aid his cause despite his lofty ranking.
He has since moved up to lightweight, where he claimed shutout victories over Josec Ruiz and Keith Hunter. The wins are part of a five-fight hometown stretch, as local promoter Vick Green has worked feverishly to keep Bell active in an industry that has often turned its back on him.
Bahdi is in a completely different position, as he is aligned with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). He made a splash with the company following his July 2024 highlight-reel knockout of Ashton “H2O” Sylve – MVP’s first male signee – and has fought under the Jake Paul/Nakisa Bidarian-founded banner ever since.
Included in Bahdi’s current run was a March 2025 victory over Ryan Racaza atop a DAZN show from Toronto, and a competitive but clear win over former secondary titleholder Roger Gutierrez last August in Orlando, Florida.
Per Rule 9.C., either boxer who declines to accept the invitation will additionally forfeit a top 10 ranking and the right to participate in an IBF-sanctioned bout for a minimum of six months. Additionally, the sanctioning body will then move on to the next highest rated available contender.
Listed directly below Bahdi and Bell are Cuba’s Andy Cruz, 6-1 (3 KOs); Argentina’s Alan Abel Chaves, 21-0 (18 KOs); and former IBF 130lbs titlist Joe Cordina, 19-1 (9 KOs).
