The Cuban Julio Cesar La Cruz He will have the opportunity to win a new title in his career, this time in professional boxing under the auspices of the World Boxing Association (WBA).
His rival will be the Russian Muslim Gadzhimagomedov, current monarch of the so-called weight bridger or supercruise, a category for boxers between 200 and 224 pounds, which serves as a prelude to the heavyweights.
Although the fight has been underway for a few months, the boxing entity ordered its completion this Friday and established a deadline for its negotiation until February 15.
The WBA, one of the four main organizations of professional boxing, considers that the current champion has to make a mandatory defense of his belt and, therefore, his fight against the experienced fighter from the island, who has become his official challenger, cannot continue to be postponed.
“Gadzhimagomedov last completed a mandatory defense on October 17, 2024, and the next one had to take place before July 16, 2025. Taking into account that this deadline has expired, the Russian must face the Cuban immediately,” held the entity.
“In the event that the parties do not reach an agreement within the regulatory period, or if any of the parties refuses to sign the agreement, the committee will reserve the right to call an auction within the framework of the internal regulations of the WBA,” he added.
Cuban boxers in the best moments for the promoter AGON Sports
hard obstacle
La Cruz, who has a long career in the ring, won the right to challenge for the title by defeating the Montenegrin Dilan Prasovic last April on a professional card held in Varadero.
The Camagüeyan, double Olympic champion and five-time amateur champion, will, however, have a tough obstacle in Gadzhimagomedov. The Russian is not only the current WBA champion of his professional category but also the winner of three of the last International Boxing Association (IBA) world championships, including the one held last December in Dubai.
In that competition La Cruz left without medals.
Previously, the Cuban defeated the Eurasian in the final of the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, but then he retaliated in a Night of Champions held in 2023.
Already In September it was reported about the possibility of the two clashing gloves before the end of 2025, but that ultimately did not happen. Now, with the express order of the WBA, they will have to do it, although for now the date or venue of the fight has not been specified.
