The correction creates an interesting situation near the top of the division. The IBF’s No. 1 position is vacant, 34-year-old Russian Artur Subkhankulov (12-0, 6 KOs) occupies the No. 2 spot, and Cruz sits directly behind him.
Muratalla has discussed moving to light welterweight to pursue the champions at 140. If he relinquishes his IBF lightweight belt, Cruz would be one of the highest-ranked contenders available for a vacant title opportunity.
There is already history between Cruz and Subkhankulov.
They met as amateurs on May 24, 2019, in the semifinal of the Usti nad Labem Grand Prix, where Cruz earne
