IBF ORDERS CRUZ VS. SUBKHANKULOV FOR VACANT LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
Andy Cruz will get another crack at a world title.
The IBF has officially ordered its No. 2-ranked lightweight to take on No. 1 contender Artur Subkhankulov for the vacant title. The two sides have until October 7 to come to an agreement. If not, a purse bid will be called.
Raymond Muratalla, its former champion, recently vacated the IBF crown to move up in weight.
Cruz is getting a quick chance to redeem himself. The Ring’s No. 5 lightweight lost a majority decision to Muratalla on January 24. Cruz (7-1, 4 KOs) was hoping to land a rematch with Muratalla, but will have to settle for Russia's Subkhankulov.
The sanctioning body originally ordered Cruz to face Albert Bell in an eliminator on July 18, with the winner getting a mandated shot at Muratalla. However, Bell pulled out at the last minute in favor of fighting Abdullah Mason, the WBO champion. Bell was stopped in the last round.
As for Subkhankulov (12-0, 6 KOs), this is a massive step up in competition. The 34-year-old has won twice this year, with his latest victory coming via 12th-round stoppage against Bakhodur Usmonov on April 24.
Andy Cruz vs. Artur Subkhankulov - Vacant IBF Title
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Re: Andy Cruz vs. Artur Subkhankulov - Vacant IBF Title
IBF GRANTS MORE TIME FOR ANDY CRUZ, SUBKHANKULOV TO REACH AGREEMENT
Andy Cruz and Artur Subkhankulov have been given more time.
After being ordered to fight for the vacant IBF 135-pound crown on September 7 and failing to come to terms, the sanctioning body is giving both parties until October 20 to reach an agreement. If a deal isn’t in place, the IBF will schedule a purse bid.
The Ring’s No. 5 lightweight is hoping to nab his first world title after falling short earlier this year against Raymond Muratalla via majority decision.
Since then, Cruz (7-1, 4 KOs), ranked No. 3 in the IBF, picked up a quick and devastating third-round stoppage win over Abraham Montoya on July 18. He was initially supposed to fight Albert Bell until the 33-year-old became a late replacement to face Abdullah Mason for his WBO lightweight title on July 4.
Subkhankulov (12-0, 6 KOs), a 34-year-old from Ufa, Russia, is ranked No. 2 in the IBF, but he hasn’t fought the stiffest competition. He did score two stoppage victories in 2026 over Virgel Vitor and Bakhodur Usmonov.
Muratalla, 29, successfully defended his IBF title one last time against Robson Conceicao by wide unanimous decision on August 1. Shortly after, he vacated his crown and moved up in weight.
Once that was official, Muratalla (25-0, 17 KOs) was placed as the No. 1 contender for Ring and WBO junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson.
Andy Cruz and Artur Subkhankulov have been given more time.
After being ordered to fight for the vacant IBF 135-pound crown on September 7 and failing to come to terms, the sanctioning body is giving both parties until October 20 to reach an agreement. If a deal isn’t in place, the IBF will schedule a purse bid.
The Ring’s No. 5 lightweight is hoping to nab his first world title after falling short earlier this year against Raymond Muratalla via majority decision.
Since then, Cruz (7-1, 4 KOs), ranked No. 3 in the IBF, picked up a quick and devastating third-round stoppage win over Abraham Montoya on July 18. He was initially supposed to fight Albert Bell until the 33-year-old became a late replacement to face Abdullah Mason for his WBO lightweight title on July 4.
Subkhankulov (12-0, 6 KOs), a 34-year-old from Ufa, Russia, is ranked No. 2 in the IBF, but he hasn’t fought the stiffest competition. He did score two stoppage victories in 2026 over Virgel Vitor and Bakhodur Usmonov.
Muratalla, 29, successfully defended his IBF title one last time against Robson Conceicao by wide unanimous decision on August 1. Shortly after, he vacated his crown and moved up in weight.
Once that was official, Muratalla (25-0, 17 KOs) was placed as the No. 1 contender for Ring and WBO junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson.