BoxRec

IBF moves on to Jaime Munguia in search of opponent for Osleys Iglesias

Osleys Iglesias will wait out the next three days to see if Jaime Munguia will become his next opponent.

Chances are, the Cuban knockout artist is not holding his breath.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that the IBF has moved on to Tijuana’s Munguia, 45-2 (35 KOs), in its search to secure a vacant 168lbs title fight opponent for Iglesias, 14-0 (13 KOs). Both sides will have three days from the time of Monday’s receipt of invitation to accept the opportunity. From there, a negotiation period will be assigned should both boxers agree to move forward.

Iglesias is a Cuban boxer based in Berlin but who primarily fights in Canada under Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM). Munguia is with Zanfer Promotions, along with ties to Top Rank.

Munguia was next in line to be contacted by the IBF after former four-division champ Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 63-3-2 (39 KOs), declined the offer. Alvarez is still recovering from surgery performed in October and will not be available in time to move forward with this fight.

Whether Munguia opts to accept remains to be seen.

The process has not at all dampened the enthusiasm of the Iglesias side of the equation.

“We are just happy that the process is going on,” EOTTM president Camille Estephan told BS. “We will see if Munguia wants to step into the ring with Osleys.

“To tell you the truth, Osleys Iglesias is just ready to fight anyone. We just want that title.”

Iglesias remains the top IBF super middleweight contender in line for the title vacated last month by Terence “Bud” Crawford, 42-0 (31 KOs), upon the latter’s retirement. Crawford has completely severed ties with all of the sanctioning bodies upon announcing his exit from the sport, roughly three months after his September 13 win over Alvarez to become the super middleweight king.

Crawford’s historic win took place nine days after Iglesias became the IBF No. 1 contender, following his eighth-round knockout of former title challenger Vladimir Shishkin. It was never believed that the Alvarez-Crawford winner would face Iglesias, or honestly any of the mandatory challengers in waiting.

Iglesias’ abovementioned win over Shishkin served as his only fight of 2025. It was a letdown from his four knockouts in 2024, though that one singular win secured what will become his first major title fight.

All he needs is a willing dance partner.

Munguia has not fought since his May 3 rematch win over Bruno Surace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bout took place on the undercard of Alvarez’s win over William Scull to become a two-time undisputed 168lbs champion.

With the win, Munguia avenged an upset knockout defeat to Surace just five months prior in Tijuana. However, the revenge-fueled win was clouded in controversy when Munguia tested positive for exogenous testosterone.

The matter became the subject of a drug testing investigation, which resulted in Munguia avoiding any major disciplinary action. Even without a suspension, though, he still remains inactive since last May.

Furthermore, his team is unlikely to accept the invitation to enter talks to face Iglesias. In that event, the IBF will continue down its list of contenders until the highest ranked available fighter accepts its offer.

Munguia, really? With all the young gun fighters in the division, the IBF decides to pick an undeserving retread to challenge Iglesias for its belt. While it remains to be seen whether Munguia will agree to the fight, he hasn't done anything to warrant the opportunity. His rematch victory over Surace is tainted by a failed drug test and then, of course, there the KO loss to the light-hitting Frenchman in the first bout.

JAIME MUNGUIA REJECTS IBF WORLD TITLE OFFER

They are all running from the cuban
Seems like the next in line is Callum Simpson (who is coming of a defeat) and Sheeraz, who also got the option to fight Mbilli or Pacheco for the WBC or WBO title.
What a mess.

Simpson lost and Sheeraz is going another route.

It s gonna be that undefeated russian probably.

Fighters absolutely HATE the IBF regydration rule.

catalin714 wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 17:26 Fighters absolutely HATE the IBF regydration rule.

On top of that, Munguia HATES fighting anyone with a pulse.
He probably holds the record for avoiding final eliminators and passing on mandatory fights.

Can't say that I'm disappointed Munguia turned down the fight.

On the flip side, it would be nice if someone actually stepped up and agreed to fight Iglesias for the title. Silyagin may be next in line or possibly Plantic, but perhaps Williamson should get the offer after what he did to Simpson.

Sendo Takeshi wrote: ↑07 Jan 2026, 03:47

catalin714 wrote: ↑06 Jan 2026, 17:26 Fighters absolutely HATE the IBF regydration rule.

On top of that, Munguia HATES fighting anyone with a pulse.
He probably holds the record for avoiding final eliminators and passing on mandatory fights.

Eh…dont think that s quite fair.
He s fought Canelo,Derevyanchenko,Ryder,etc
I guess they are trying to steer his career somewhat but Munguia dont think he s scared of anything.
Iglesyas is all risk no reward.Curse of tge unknown.

catalin714 wrote: ↑07 Jan 2026, 12:58 Eh…dont think that s quite fair.
He s fought Canelo,Derevyanchenko,Ryder,etc
I guess they are trying to steer his career somewhat but Munguia dont think he s scared of anything.
Iglesyas is all risk no reward.Curse of tge unknown.

He fought Canelo for the payday and got offered Derevyanchenko and Ryder 2 years prior to the fights. And there is no "etc." in case of Munguia.

He ducked countless final eliminators and mandatory fights for the title.
I'm the last person to call someone a duck, but it's very obvious in this case.

And the "reward" for fighting the cuban is a title

Sendo Takeshi wrote: ↑07 Jan 2026, 15:42

catalin714 wrote: ↑07 Jan 2026, 12:58 Eh…dont think that s quite fair.
He s fought Canelo,Derevyanchenko,Ryder,etc
I guess they are trying to steer his career somewhat but Munguia dont think he s scared of anything.
Iglesyas is all risk no reward.Curse of tge unknown.

He fought Canelo for the payday and got offered Derevyanchenko and Ryder 2 years prior to the fights. And there is no "etc." in case of Munguia.

He ducked countless final eliminators and mandatory fights for the title.
I'm the last person to call someone a duck, but it's very obvious in this case.

And the "reward" for fighting the cuban is a title

He fought Ali and Smith early in his career aswell.He was gonna fight Golovkin until the comission said no.
Again,I think it s a case of management and not the foghter.

Regarding the reward thing-fighters dont think of the reward in titles or only in titles.The reward is the money.
As in there aint enough money in it for the risk.

catalin714 wrote: ↑07 Jan 2026, 16:18

Sendo Takeshi wrote: ↑07 Jan 2026, 15:42

catalin714 wrote: ↑07 Jan 2026, 12:58 Eh…dont think that s quite fair.
He s fought Canelo,Derevyanchenko,Ryder,etc
I guess they are trying to steer his career somewhat but Munguia dont think he s scared of anything.
Iglesyas is all risk no reward.Curse of tge unknown.

He fought Canelo for the payday and got offered Derevyanchenko and Ryder 2 years prior to the fights. And there is no "etc." in case of Munguia.

He ducked countless final eliminators and mandatory fights for the title.
I'm the last person to call someone a duck, but it's very obvious in this case.

And the "reward" for fighting the cuban is a title

He fought Ali and Smith early in his career aswell.He was gonna fight Golovkin until the comission said no.
Again,I think it s a case of management and not the foghter.

Regarding the reward thing-fighters dont think of the reward in titles or only in titles.The reward is the money.
As in there aint enough money in it for the risk.

I was only after he was declined by the commission to fight Golovkin at MW, that he fought Ali and Smith.

Not gonna like I hadn’t heard of him before then.

I read a Dan Ambrose story earlier today in BN24 that Munguia is now being floated as a possible voluntary defense for Resendiz's WBA title.

MPW wrote: ↑08 Jan 2026, 10:11 I read a Dan Ambrose story earlier today in BN24 that Munguia is now being floated as a possible voluntary defense for Resendiz's WBA title.

yes that's true

I read that as well. Actually a nice fight.
I don't know if Munguia wins that. I'd probaly take Resendiz.

Sendo Takeshi wrote: ↑08 Jan 2026, 10:20 I read that as well. Actually a nice fight.
I don't know if Munguia wins that. I'd probaly take Resendiz.

I think it would be a rugged, grind 'em out kind of fight. Right now, I kind of lean toward Resendiz winning, but it certainly wouldn't be an easy victory.

MPW wrote: ↑08 Jan 2026, 11:06 I think it would be a rugged, grind 'em out kind of fight. Right now, I kind of lean toward Resendiz winning, but it certainly wouldn't be an easy victory.

I agree. It's gonna be competetive, no matter who wins that.

Jaime Munguia Vs Osleys Iglesias Gains Traction For Saudi Card

WBA champion could feature on Saudi “Mexico vs The World” card as Osleys Iglesias is suggested as a unification option

Jaime Munguia is being linked to a September return on the planned Saudi “Mexico vs The World” card following his WBA title win. A potential fight with IBF champion Osleys Iglesias has been suggested as a unification option at 168 pounds.

The jump from Armando Resendiz to Osleys Iglesias is not only a step up in class, it’s a completely different sport.

Bob Arum and Fernando Beltran of Top Rank & Zanfer have spent years carefully cultivating Munguia. They’ve consistently prioritized high-visibility, manageable-risk fights, ike the Erik Bazinyan or Bruno Surace bouts, to keep the Munguia brand profitable.

Iglesias is promoted by Eye of the Tiger (Camille Estephan). While they are hungry for big fights, they don’t have the same cross-promotional marriage with Top Rank that would make a risky unification a no-brainer.

Munguia just secured the WBA belt. From a promoter’s perspective, why risk losing that leverage immediately against a 6’2″ Cuban southpaw with a 93% knockout rate when you could milk the title for a few lucrative homecoming defenses in Mexico first?

Resendiz was a come-forward brawler who sat right in Munguia’s wheelhouse. Munguia often struggles with distance against taller opponents. Iglesias has one-punnch power and he has that amateur-schooled Cuban invisible lead hand that makes life miserable for orthodox fighters.

Munguia’s defense, even under Eddy Reynoso, still has lapses. A southpaw with Iglesias’s length and counter-punching ability is the worst possible matchup for a fighter who relies on volume and mid-range combinations.

If the Saudi Mexico vs. The World card happens in September, the promoters will likely look for a name that carries less physical threat than Iglesias. An ideal option would be Edgar Berlanga. He’s A massive commercial fight that is far more winnable for Munguia and easier to negotiate.

Promoters generally don’t put their Golden Goose in a cage with a wolf unless the check is so big it covers the cost of a loss. As talented as Iglesias is, he doesn’t bring the mainstream North American PPV numbers to justify that level of risk for Top Rank and Zanfer Promotions.

Osleys Iglesias Pushes Jaime Munguia Toward September Unification Fight

IBF champion targets WBA titleholder after Las Vegas win, pushing for September clash

Osleys Iglesias has called for a unification fight with Jaime Munguia in September following Munguia’s WBA title win in Las Vegas. The IBF champion made the challenge public as the super middleweight division looks for a clear path forward.

“You’re already a champion, man. It’s time to unify in September. Let’s go for it, with God leading the way,” said Iglesias on X.



Munguia is coming off a win over Jose Armando Resendiz last Saturday night in Las Vegas, where he captured the WBA super middleweight title, giving him a direct path to a unification fight.

Iglesias has followed his own route to a belt. He improved to 15-0 with 14 knockouts when he stopped Pavel Silyagin in the eighth round on April 9 to win the IBF title that had been vacated by Terence Crawford, adding another active titleholder into the mix at 168.

At the time Iglesias won his title, the division already had multiple belt holders, with Jose Armando Resendiz holding the WBA title and Christian Mbilli the WBC belt, while the WBO title remained vacant. That structure has left the weight class without a single direction, increasing the value of any unification fight that can bring clarity.

Munguia’s recent win also came at a time when the division has multiple titleholders without a clear direction. A unification fight would immediately connect two of those belts and give the weight class a defined path instead of scattered matchups.

A meeting between the two would immediately connect those belts and bring clarity to a division that has multiple directions but no single line of movement.

Munguia has not responded to the call. That silence leaves the next move with him. Iglesias, 28, has made his side clear.

I almost hate to admit Munguia boxed very well against Resendiz, who didn't or couldn't rise to the occasion in his first title defense. He certainly more than earned the belt with a solid victory.

While I would like to see the two champions (Iglesias and Munguia) meet in the ring for a unification fight, I just don't see it happening. The cynic in me thinks Munguia will either milk the title for all its worth against a number of non-threatening boxers in meaningless defenses or get penciled in as the title-holding opponent for Alvarez's September return bout, shoving Mbilli to the back burner.

MPW wrote: ↑05 May 2026, 08:50 I almost hate to admit Munguia boxed very well against Resendiz, who didn't or couldn't rise to the occasion in his first title defense. He certainly more than earned the belt with a solid victory.

While I would like to see the two champions (Iglesias and Munguia) meet in the ring for a unification fight, I just don't see it happening. The cynic in me thinks Munguia will either milk the title for all its worth against a number of non-threatening boxers in meaningless defenses or get penciled in as the title-holding opponent for Alvarez's September return bout, shoving Mbilli to the back burner.

How Plant lost to Resendiz... no idea.

Was an easy pick for Munguia to claim a world title it seems like.

But now he can go on to unify against the champions and contenders. We know Jaime isn't a bad boxer.

Just a shame about his failed drug test, just vanished.

No way Munguia and his handlers would take this fight

Cent0089 wrote: ↑05 May 2026, 09:25 No way Munguia and his handlers would take this fight

I agree. I also don't believe Munguia beats either of the other two reigning champions (Iglesias or Mbilli), nor do I think he would beat Sheeraz, assuming of course he tops Begic later this month.

MPW wrote: ↑05 May 2026, 08:50 I almost hate to admit Munguia boxed very well against Resendiz

True though eh

Ever seen Dennis Andries
Clumsy rough and tough boxer, timing was terrible but hustled his way to win off will to win.
Look at him under Manny Steward, totally different fighter altogether.

You give a fighter a good trainer and it can change them dramatically.
You could give Robert Garcia just about anything and he'll get something out of it, he's a genuine living great that creates artists in sport.