Boxing
Report: Andy Cruz to Face Artur Subkhankulov for IBF Lightweight Title
BoxingScene reports a November 27 vacant-title bout in Ufa, Russia, after Cruz returned to winning form against Abraham Montoya in July.
Andy Cruz is scheduled to face Artur Subkhankulov for the vacant IBF lightweight title in Ufa, Russia, on November 27, BoxingScene reported Tuesday.
The report identifies the IBA as the event’s host.
The bout would give Cruz a second attempt at the 135-pound world championship. He lost a 12-round majority decision to Raymond Muratalla in his previous title challenge, then returned in July with a third-round stoppage of Abraham Montoya.
Muratalla subsequently relinquished the belt to move up in weight, according to BoxingScene. Cruz had expressed interest in dropping to junior lightweight after beating Montoya, but the reported November assignment keeps him at lightweight.
Cruz, Cuba’s 2020 Olympic champion, has a 7–1 professional record with four knockouts and is ranked second by the IBF at 135 pounds. Subkhankulov is unbeaten in 12 professional fights, with six knockouts, and holds the organization’s fourth ranking.
The pair have met before in the amateurs. Cruz won a three-round split decision in Czechia in 2019, giving the reported title fight an earlier competitive connection.
