The IBF has formally invited Cruz and undefeated contender Albert Bell to negotiate a final eliminator to determine the next mandatory challenger for Raymond Muratalla’s lightweight belt. Bell immediately accepted. Cruz’s team has expressed interest, but the decision carries real risk because Bell’s physical profile threatens to recreate the exact type of fight that Cruz couldn’t command in January.
Albert Bell’s size presents an immediate problem for Cruz
Bell stands 6’0″, unusually tall for the 135-pound division, with the reach and frame to control distance against smaller opponents. Cruz struggled with that problem against Muratalla on Jan. 24, losing a 12-round majority decision in his first title effort. Cruz had clear success when he chose to get involved, often getting the cleaner blows and disrupting Muratalla’s offense.
The problem was his unwillingness to maintain that approach. He repeatedly gave ground, moved instead of holding position and allowed Muratalla to advance without resistance. Judges tend to prefer the fighter to apply pressure even when the punches miss, and Muratalla’s forward movement created the visual control needed to secure the decision.
Bell has the size to force Cruz into the same retreat pattern. Higher lightweights can dictate range and make opponents work harder just to get into striking distance. Cruz’s hesitation becomes more costly against opponents who can occupy space and make him react rather than initiate. Bell doesn’t need overwhelming power to create problems. His size alone could limit Cruz’s offense if Cruz fails to change his approach.
Cruz, 30, entered the Muratalla fight as the mandatory challenger and left with the first loss of his professional career. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist remains one of the division’s technically gifted fighters, but his performance has revealed structural limitations at lightweight. Promoter Eddie Hearn openly discussed the possibility of Cruz moving down to 130 pounds after the loss, acknowledging the size difference he faced. Muratalla, unbeaten in 24 fights with 17 knockouts, remained at lightweight and is allowed to make a voluntary defense while the IBF finalizes his next mandatory challenger.
Bell, undefeated in 28 fights with nine knockouts, waited years for an opportunity at junior lightweight before moving up in search of better positioning. His immediate acceptance of the eliminator reflects his readiness to capitalize on the opening. The IBF’s letter gives both fighters until Thursday to continue negotiations.
The eliminator forces Cruz to a decisive decision earlier than expected. Acceptance keeps him on the title path, but puts him directly in front of another physically imposing opponent who could recreate the same tactical problems. The decline could signal a move to junior lightweight or a recalibration of his career direction.
Cruz’s skill has never been in question, but at lightweight, skill alone has not been enough to control bigger fighters who refuse to give ground. This eliminator will show if he has learned from Muratalla or if the division remains physically stacked against him.
