Isaac Cruz And Gustavo Lemos Lead Candidates For IBF Title Fight

Isaac Cruz and Gustavo Lemos May Benefit from Haney Moving Up

Isaac Cruz and Gustavo Lemos could fight for the vacant IBF title
Isaac Cruz (L), Gustavo Lemos | credit: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions, TyC Sports

Isaac Cruz vs Gustavo Lemos IBF Title Fight Possible If Haney Vacates


Top IBF lightweight contenders “El Electrico” Gustavo Lemos (28-0, 18KO) and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (24-2-1, 17KO) could battle for the title, providing it becomes vacant.

The lightweight division could be on the verge of playing musical chairs if undisputed champion Devin “The Dream” Haney moves up to junior welterweight and vacates the titles. When looking at the rankings, Lemos versus Cruz is a possible showdown that could happen when the music stops.

THE PATH TO A POSSIBLE TITLE SHOWDOWN

In 2021, El Electrico grabbed the number-one slot after defeating one-time IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby in a title eliminator. The number-two slot is unassigned, which leaves number three and four ranked Vasyl Lomachenko and Shakur Stevenson next in line. It is safe to say they will more than likely compete for the WBC title, considering they hold the top two spots.

Pitbull has a firm grip on the number-five slot, which puts him right in line to face Lemos for the title. The Mexican picked up some solid wins over one-time title challenger Diego Magdaleno and former world champion Francisco Vargas. In 2021, his career took off due to his aggressive performance in a losing effort against multi-divisional champion Gervonta Davis.

This would be a fan-friendly affair if these two men climb into the ring against each other. Lemos is a good counterpuncher that loves to fight on the inside and attack the body.

Pitbull is relentless in attacking his opponents, looking to overwhelm them with a flurry of punches from all angles.

This is just one of many good possible match-ups that can take place if the belts become available.

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Garrisson Bland - Head of Public Relations/Senior Journalist. Garrisson is the Head of Public relations for 3kingsboxing.com as well as a senior writer. He is also the host of YouTube boxing show "Truth And Facts Sports Talk."