IBA announces Andy Cruz vs. Artur Subkhankulov for vacant IBF lightweight title on Nov. 27 in Ufa, Russia

The IBA announced on Nov. 2 that Andy Cruz will fight Artur Subkhankulov for the vacant IBF lightweight title on Nov. 27 in Ufa, Russia, according to Bad Left Hook. Bad Left Hook says the fight will headline an IBA.PRO show. The Ring also reports the bout, saying it will take place on an IBA.PRO show.

Bad Left Hook reported that the belt became vacant when Raymond Muratalla gave it up ahead of a planned move to 140 pounds. Both Bad Left Hook and The Ring report that the IBF then ordered Cruz and Subkhankulov to fight for the title.

Bad Left Hook, attributing the detail to Cesar Seda, reported that the IBF gave the two fighters 30 days to agree on a fight and avoid a purse bid. The Ring later reported that the sides did not reach an agreement by the original deadline and that the IBF extended it to Oct. 20. According to The Ring, the IBF said it would schedule a purse bid if no deal was in place.

The Ring describes Subkhankulov as 34 years old, 12-0 with six knockouts, and ranked No. 2 by the IBF. The Ring ranks Cruz No. 4, and the IBF ranks him No. 3. Bad Left Hook and The Ring both list Cruz's record as 7-1 with four knockouts. Bad Left Hook describes him as a free agent and says he will be the B-side. The Ring reports that he lost to Muratalla by majority decision in January and later stopped Abraham Montoya in the third round.

The Ring also reports that Cruz had contemplated moving down to junior lightweight, an idea it says promoter Eddie Hearn supported. The Ring says those plans are now shelved.

What we don't know yet

• Whether the IBF has confirmed the Ufa venue or the IBA.PRO promotion. Neither source says. The announcement came from the IBA, as reported by Bad Left Hook.
• What the IBA's own announcement says. It was not among the sources reviewed, so this briefing relies on Bad Left Hook's account.
• How the negotiation was resolved after the Oct. 20 deadline. The sources reviewed do not say whether a purse bid took place or what the financial terms are.
• Cruz's promotional status. Bad Left Hook calls him a free agent, while The Ring refers to Eddie Hearn as his promoter. The sources reviewed do not reconcile the two descriptions.