The unbeaten southpaw Iglesias is tall, highly effective, and throws a number of punches. At 27, he’s younger, and can be a nightmare for the 5’8″ Canelo to battle on the late stage of his profession. Not simply him, although.
So, with Canelo prone to decline the battle with Iglesias for the vacant IBF belt, the sanctioning physique will transfer down the rankings and provide #4 Jaime Munguia or #5 Callum Simpson the chance. Munguia already has choices for different fights in opposition to better-known contenders within the 168-lb division. It’s unlikely that he’ll conform to a battle in opposition to Osleys.
Callum Simpson was knocked out within the tenth spherical by Troy Williamson on December 20, 2025. It’s attainable the IBF will select to not ask Simpson as a result of he took a number of punishment in his loss.
Hamzah Sheeraz is #6 within the IBF’s rankings, however he’s received different choices to battle for the vacant WBC or WBO belts. His probabilities of profitable a kind of belts are arguably better than if he had been to battle the previous Cuban newbie expertise Iglesias. That’s a nasty match-up on paper for Sheeraz.
Why Silyagin Makes the Most Sense
#7 within the IBF rankings is Pavel Silyagin. He’s unbeaten nonetheless, however he hasn’t confronted any notable opposition throughout his five-year profession. The possibilities are that if he’s requested, he’ll settle for the battle. The 32-year-old Silyagin isn’t an influence puncher, and he struggled to beat little-known Pablo Exequiel Corzo in his final battle on July 5, 2025.
With out a lot pop in his punches, Silyagin goes to be up in opposition to it, dealing with Osleys Iglesias for the IBF title if he’s provided the chance by the IBF. My prediction is that it’ll be Silyagin that finally faces Iglesias, as a result of it makes probably the most sense for him to take the battle.
Crawford Noticed This Coming
Had Crawford not vacated his IBF title, he would have quickly been ordered to defend in opposition to the 6’2″ Osleys. That might be a really troublesome match-up for Crawford as a result of he couldn’t rely on his lengthy attain to dominate together with his jab as he did in opposition to Canelo.
Iglesias has the identical attain however a extra highly effective jab. If Crawford didn’t vacate, he’d have had an issue going up in opposition to Iglesias. He’s a textbook instance of a boogeyman, the man that’s prevented for good purpose.
