Negotiations have concluded for the IBF World Lightweight Title Eliminator. The bout between No. 3-ranked Andy Cruz (Cuba), who is undefeated in 5 fights (2 KOs), and No. 5-ranked Shuichiro Yoshino (Yokohama Hikari), who holds a record of 17 wins (6 KOs), 1 loss, and 1 draw, is officially set for June 14 (June 15 Japan time) at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York, USA. The event will be promoted by Matchroom Boxing.
On the same night, the main event will feature IBF World Super Lightweight Champion Richardson Hitchins (USA), who is undefeated in 19 bouts (7 KOs), defending his title against former unified lightweight world champion and current IBF No. 3 contender George Kambosos Jr. (Australia), with a record of 22 wins (10 KOs) and 3 losses. Cruz vs. Yoshino will serve as the co-main event.
The IBF World Lightweight title is currently held by Vasiliy Lomachenko (Ukraine), who won the belt on May 12 last year in Perth, Australia, by defeating George Kambosos Jr. via an 11th-round TKO at 2:49. Since then, his future plans have remained unclear. On May 10 (Japan time May 11), an interim title bout was held at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California, where Raymond Muratalla (USA), undefeated in 23 bouts with 17 KOs, defeated Zaur Abdullaev (Russia), who had 20 wins (12 KOs) and 2 losses, by unanimous decision over 12 rounds to claim the interim title.
The IBF has ordered Lomachenko to make a title defense by October 8 (Japan time October 9), and if negotiations with Muratalla do not proceed, the organization plans to mandate a Lomachenko vs. Muratalla title unification bout by August 8 (Japan time August 9).
29-year-old Andy Cruz, who lives in Miami, Florida, won the gold medal in the lightweight division at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics by defeating current WBO World Lightweight Champion Keyshawn Davis (USA), who is 13–0 (9 KOs) with 1 no contest, via a 4–1 decision in the final. Cruz had a brilliant amateur career and later signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
Cruz made his pro debut in July 2023, defeating Juan Carlos Burgos (Mexico), 36–8–3 (22 KOs), by 10-round decision and capturing the IBF International Lightweight title in his very first fight. He has since maintained a clean, dominant style, allowing very few punches from his opponents, and is now moving toward securing a world title shot.
On the other hand, Shuichiro Yoshino rose to the top of the Japanese boxing scene by capturing both the OPBF Super Featherweight and Japanese Lightweight titles. In March of this year, he vacated the Japanese title to take the “next step,” stating that “2025 will be a decisive year” as he sets his sights on a world championship.
As for the upcoming bout, Cruz, with his outstanding amateur pedigree, sharp combinations, and precise, technical boxing based on solid defense, is widely viewed as the favorite. However, attention will be on how Yoshino, with his experienced team, plans to break down Cruz over the rounds.
The undefeated Yoshino is a highly strategic fighter. His game plan will be something to watch!
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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