Andy Cruz’s team and Artur Subkhankulov’s have reportedly been negotiating until October 20 to reach an agreement for the vacant IBF lightweight title. Cruz has another opportunity to become champion, although winning the belt would leave his defeat to Raymond Muratalla unresolved.
“The teams of Cuba’s Andy Cruz and Russia’s Artur Subkhankulov have been granted an extension until October 20 to reach a deal for their vacant IBF lightweight world title bout,” journalist Carlos Linares reported on X.
The IBF initially gave the sides until October 7 to negotiate. Muratalla vacated the championship to move up in weight, opening the route for No. 1 contender Subkhankulov and No. 2 Cruz to fight for it. A date and venue have yet to be announced.
Cruz lost a majority decision to Muratalla in January and had wanted a rematch. Instead, he now has the opportunity to collect the championship without facing the fighter who beat him. That would be a useful recovery for his career, but the belt alone wouldn’t establish that he had surpassed Muratalla.
For Cruz, the immediate priority is securing the fight and making the most of another title opening. Waiting for Muratalla to return to lightweight would offer no guarantee of a rematch. Becoming champion would give Cruz something to bring into negotiations for other significant fights.
Subkhankulov has his own opportunity to change how he is viewed. The unbeaten Russian is 12-0 with six knockouts, while Cruz is 7-1 with four. Subkhankulov’s ranking has put him within reach of a championship, but Cruz represents a considerable increase in opposition.
Cruz’s Olympic gold medal and extensive amateur success give him experience against talented opponents. His loss to Muratalla nevertheless showed that those credentials don’t guarantee professional title victories.
The extension gives both teams additional negotiating time. It doesn’t guarantee an agreement, and Cruz still needs to beat Subkhankulov before discussing what a championship could bring. For now, his second title chance remains a fight to be finalized.