The May 27 purse bid will determine promotional rights for a lightweight eliminator carrying mandatory-title implications at 135 pounds
The IBF has officially scheduled a purse bid for Andy Cruz and Albert Bell after negotiations failed to finalize their ordered lightweight eliminator. The winner would move into mandatory-challenger position for the IBF lightweight title, pushing Cruz another step toward a world championship fight.
Dan Rafael reported Sunday that the IBF set a May 27 purse bid for Cruz and Bell after negotiations failed to produce an agreement for the ordered #1 eliminator at 135 pounds.
News: IBF on Sunday scheduled a purse bid for the previously ordered 135 eliminator for No. 1 between Albert Bell & Andy Cruz. It’s scheduled for May 27 at 2 pm local time during the ratings meeting at the IBF’s annual convention in Ho Tram, Vietnam. #boxing #PurseBidHedz
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 18, 2026
The purse bid is scheduled for 2 p.m. local time during the IBF’s annual convention in Ho Tram, Vietnam.
The winner of the fight would move into position as the mandatory challenger for the IBF lightweight title, giving Andy Cruz a direct path toward a championship opportunity less than two years into his professional career.
Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs) has been moved aggressively since leaving the amateur ranks following his Olympic gold medal run for Cuba. The Matchroom-promoted lightweight already owns wins over veterans Antonio Moran and Omar Salcido despite having only six professional fights.
Albert Bell (28-0, 9 KOs) brings far more professional experience into the eliminator and has quietly remained unbeaten while fighting mostly outside the spotlight. The Cleveland native has long been viewed as a difficult style matchup because of his defensive approach and southpaw stance.
The negotiations reaching the purse bid stage suggest neither side was willing to bend enough financially to complete a deal privately.
A victory for Cruz would strengthen his standing in a crowded lightweight division that includes names such as Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis, and Keyshawn Davis.