Andy Cruz to renew rivalry with Artur Subkhankulov in IBF title fight

Andy Cruz is set for his second world title attempt when he takes on Russia’s Artur Subkhankulov for the vacant IBF lightweight title on November 27.

The Cuban, a 2020 Olympic champion, will face Subkhankulov in Ufa, Russia, 10 months after losing a 12-round majority decision to Raymond Muratalla for the same belt. Since then, the highly touted Cruz, 7-1 (4 KOs), has rebounded to stop Abraham Montoya in July, while Muratalla relinquished his title to move up in weight.

Cruz, 31, is ranked No. 2 by the IBF at 135lbs.

Subkhankulov, 12-0 (6 KOs), has also fought twice this year, beating Virgel Vitor in February before stopping Bakhodur Usmonov two months later.

The 34-year-old Russian southpaw, ranked fourth by the IBF, has yet to meet anyone of Cruz’s class in the professional ranks, but the pair did exchange blows in the amateurs. In 2019, Cruz won a three-round split decision in Czechia.

After his victory over Montoya – a violent third-round stoppage that saw Montoya halted for the first time – Cruz voiced his intention to drop down to junior lightweight.

Those plans have now changed, however.

The Cruz-Subkhankulov event will be hosted by the IBA.