Albert Bell and Andy Cruz are targeting a mid-to-late July date for the ordered and agreed upon IBF lightweight title eliminator, Bell told Brunch Boxing. Bell also indicated that the fight could shift into a full title contest.
“We’re just waiting to sign all the details—dot all the i’s and cross all of the t’s,” Bell said.
Raymond Muratalla currently holds the belt. He has hinted at a move to junior welterweight, which could leave the title vacant. He first won the interim belt last May. Later, officials upgraded him to full champion after Vasyl Lomachenko retired. Muratalla successfully defended the title against Cruz in January.
For years, Albert Bell chased a title shot without success. He held the top WBO ranking at super featherweight for over a year but never secured a fight. Limited promotional backing and boxing politics likely slowed his progress. After that, he moved up in weight and switched sanctioning bodies, which seems to have changed his fortunes.
Cruz looks to reenter the title picture despite the aforementioned loss to Muratalla.
An official announcement is expected soon.
