Canelo Alvarez refuses the IBF super middleweight title fight. Osleys Iglesias must now find a new opponent for the vacant world title belt
Mexican superstar Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez has turned down the opportunity to fight for the vacant IBF world super middleweight title against Osleys Iglesias. This means that the boxing icon will not be returning to the 168-pound division for the time being. Álvarez (63-3-2, 39 knockouts) had lost the IBF belt as well as the WBA, WBC and WBO titles last September in a clear points defeat by unanimous decision to Terence Crawford. Following Crawford’s subsequent retirement, the super middleweight division is wide open – a power vacuum that now needs to be filled.
Germany-based Osleys Iglesias (14-0, 13 knockouts) had been appointed as a mandatory challenger by the IBF in December. The aim was to crown a new champion with a fight against Canelo. However, as Álvarez declined, Iglesias must now look to the world rankings for an alternative opponent for the vacant red and gold IBF belt. The Cuban is managed by Canadian promoter Eye of the Tiger.
The IBF plans to update its rankings in the coming days. Jaime Munguia from Mexico is currently ranked fifth. The Mexican was recently cleared of all charges in connection with a positive doping test following his victory over Bruno Surace. Callum Simpson from England is also listed in fifth place, but is likely to slip down the rankings after his knockout defeat to Troy Williamson last month. Compatriot Hamzah Sheeraz follows in sixth place, Pavel Silyagin from Russia is ranked seventh, while Simon Zachenhuber from Germany is ranked eighth.
Iglesias’ promoter Camille Estephan is expected to want to bring the title fight to Québec. However, the Cuban has struggled to sign big names from the weight class so far – not least because of his red-hot form, which has carried him to eight consecutive early wins. In the super middleweight scene, Iglesias has long been regarded as a dangerous finisher who many prefer to avoid.