Andy Cruz Goes to Ufa: Cruz vs. Artur Subkhankulov Set for Vacant IBF Lightweight Title on Nov. 27

Andy Cruz wanted Raymond Muratalla again. He's getting a road trip instead. Cruz will fight Artur Subkhankulov for the vacant IBF lightweight title on Nov. 27 in Ufa, Russia, which happens to be Subkhankulov's hometown.

The belt is open because Raymond Muratalla vacated it to move up in weight, per The Ring. The two camps agreed terms before a purse bid, and the offer to stage it in Ufa suited everyone, according to Bashinform. The outlet says it will be the first IBF world title fight ever held in Bashkortostan.

Cruz

Cruz (7-1, 4 KOs) is an Olympic champion and three-time amateur world champion. All of his pro fights have been in the United States. He lost a majority decision to Muratalla for this same IBF belt on Jan. 24, then came back in July and stopped Abraham Montoya in three rounds. Boxing News 24 says he looked noticeably more aggressive that night.

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Subkhankulov

Subkhankulov (12-0, 6 KOs), 34, earned his shot with a 12th-round stoppage of Bakhodur Usmonov in an IBF eliminator on April 24 in Ufa. He's training at his home gym. Subkhankulov, via Bashinform: «Тренируюсь в обычном режиме, все превосходно» ("I'm training as usual, everything is excellent").

And here's the fun part: they've done this before. Cruz beat Subkhankulov by split decision at an amateur tournament in the Czech Republic in 2019, per Bashinform.

The Kimster's read: Cruz has already been burned once by judges in a close IBF title fight, and now he's walking into the other guy's building. If he's still fighting like he did against Montoya, he won't need the scorecards.

What's a vacant world title in Ufa worth to each man? Learn how Guess the Purse works on Boxbid, and check out Andy Cruz on Boxbid. For more on Muratalla's path, see Shakur Stevenson Pictured With Bob Arum?