The matchup that BoxingScene predicted all along for this scenario has officially entered the chat.
BoxingScene has confirmed that Russia’s Pavel Silyagin has been contacted by the IBF to confirm interest and availability to face Osleys Iglesias (pictured)for its vacant super middleweight belt. Both parties have a three-day window to either accept or decline the invitation to enter negotiations.
The good news, all around, is that both have openly expressed an interest in proceeding with this fight. The negotiation period will be ordered once the IBF is formally notified of their respective decisions. Iglesias – a Cuban southpaw based in Berlin – is with Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM). Silyagin is promoted by RCC Boxing.
As previously reported by BoxingScene, England’s Troy Williamson was unavailable – to his own chagrin – due to being hamstrung to a rematch clause executed by Callum Simpson.
Williamson burst into the IBF top 10 after an upset, 10th round knockout of his countryman in December. BoxingScene learned that Simpson had the rematch clause enforced almost immediately after the fight. The rematch is now targeted for May in the UK.
That development led to the IBF contacting Silyagin, 16-0-1 (7 KOs), who has eagerly awaited his turn in the rotation. Silyagin is the current No. 7-rated contender, with the likes of Williamson, Hamzah Sheeraz, Jaime Munguia and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez all not able to proceed for a variety of reasons.
Sheeraz, 22-0-1 (18 KOs) is currently mulling separate title offers with both the WBC and WBO. Munguia, 43-2 (35 KOs) is in talks with WBA titleholder Jose Armando Resendiz, 14-2 (11 KOs). Alvarez, a former four-division and undisputed 168lbs champ, will not return to the ring until September, though his team believes it will be for a major title – just not this one.
Silyagin has fought exclusively in Russia since his 2020 pro debut. Ironically, his standout career moment to date is the lone blemish on his record, a September 2023 upset draw with highly touted countryman Evgeny Shvedenko.
The 32-year-old contender has since claimed three consecutive wins. In his most recent outing, Silyagin scored a 10-round, virtual shutout over unbeaten Pablo Exequiel Corzo last July 5 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
Iglesias has been the mandatory challenger since an 8th round knockout of former title challenger Vladimir Shishkin. The bout took place last September 4 in Montreal – nine days before Alvarez was dethroned by Terence Crawford via unanimous decision in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Crawford, 42-0 (31 KOs), retired from the sport in December, thus relinquishing all of the titles along the way in severing all ties with the sport. Of the four belts, all but the WBA are up for grabs. Resendiz was the sanctioning body’s interim titlist and automatically upgraded effective January 1.
