The Ring has confirmed that both Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs) and Bell (28-0, 9 KOs) have agreed to terms for an IBF lightweight title eliminator. The date and venue are still being finalized. A mandatory shot at the IBF lightweight title awaits the winner. BoxingScene.com was the first to report on this development.

Cruz, The Ring’s No. 4 ranked lightweight and the IBF’s No. 4 contender, desperately wants a rematch with Raymond Muratalla, the IBF lightweight champion. The pair headlined in January at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, with Muratalla picking up a close majority decision while handing Cruz his first professional defeat.

In the immediate aftermath, however, the IBF threw the Cuban a lifeline when they ordered Bell and Lucas Bahdi to fight in a title eliminator. But after Bahdi declined to pursue other opportunities, Cruz was given the call.

The 2020 Olympic gold medalist, far and away, will be the best fighter Bell has stepped in the ring with. Bell, of Toledo, Ohio, is seen as a high-risk low-reward opponent. He's tall for the division and is largely unknown, but possesses talent. In his last outing, he easily outpointed Keith Hunter last August. He’s also ranked No. 14 in the WBC and No. 6 in the WBO.

It’s unknown if Muratalla (24-0, 17 KOs) will stick around to face the winner. The 29-year-old has expressed a desire to move up in weight to face the likes of Shakur Stevenson, The Ring and WBO junior welterweight champion.