Matchroom Boxing needed just $298,000 to secure the rights for Andy Cruz and Albert Bell's IBF lightweight eliminator.
Bell , ranked slightly higher at No. 3, will take home the larger split with 60 percent, while the No. 4-ranked Cruz leaves the deal with 40 percent. The winner will put themselves into position to fight IBF champ Raymond Muratalla . Cruz fought Muratalla (24-0, 17 KOs) earlier this year and lost by majority decision . A few weeks later, however, the sanctioning body offered Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs) the chance to fight Bell in an eliminator after Lucas Bahdi initially declined. Bell, a 33-year-old highly-ranked contender from Toledo, Ohio, has been waiting for an opportunity to fight on the big stage for a long time. In 2025, he made the most of two low-level appearances against Josec Ruiz and Keith Hunter, winning both by unanimous decision. Cruz, The Ring’s No. 2-ranked 135-pounder, has also flirted with the idea of moving up in weight to take on Ring/WBO junior welterweight champion, Shakur Stevenson. At the moment, Muratalla has an optional defense, but will be ordered to defend his belt against the No. 1 contender in October.
