BoxRec

Pavel Silyagin next up as potential Osleys Iglesias IBF title fight foe

The matchup that Boxing Scene predicted all along for this scenario has officially entered the chat.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that Russia’s Pavel Silyagin has been contacted by the IBF to confirm interest and availability to face Osleys Iglesias 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 BS, 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. Boxing Scene 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.

I'm almost waiting for the IBF to call out, NEXT!

PAVEL SILYAGIN ACCEPTS IBF 168-POUND TITLE FIGHT WITH OSLEYS IGLESIAS; TALKS IMMINENT

Osleys Iglesias has been waiting for weeks to learn who he would fight for the vacant IBF super middleweight title.

After the IBF attempted to make fights for him with higher-ranked, higher-profile opponents, Pavel Silyagin accepted the opportunity. The Ring has learned Eye of The Tiger, which represents Iglesias, and RCC Promotions, which handles Silyagin, will begin negotiations soon for their 12-round, 168-pound championship match.

Cuba’s Iglesias (14-0, 13 KOs) is the IBF’s No. 1 contender for a title Terence Crawford vacated when the former undisputed champ retired last month. Russia’s Silyagin (16-0-1, 7 KOs) is ranked seventh.

Former undisputed champ and third-ranked Canelo Alvarez, fourth-ranked Jaime Munguia and fifth-ranked Hamzah Sheeraz all passed on the chance to face the dangerous Iglesias for the IBF belt. Sixth-ranked Troy Williamson wanted to face Iglesias, but Callum Simpson exercised his contractual right to an immediate rematch with Williamson, who upset Simpson by 10th-round knockout December 20 in Leeds, England.

“The Tornado wants to take the world by a storm,” Eye of The Tiger president Camille Estephan told The Ring. “Iglesias is ready to take over.”

Iglesias, rated No. 2 by The Ring at 168 pounds, has left a trail of destruction behind him. He won four fights inside nine rounds during a breakout 2024, including first-round stoppages of world title challenger Marcelo Coceres and Evgeny Shvedenko, a second-round technical knockout of Sena Agbeko and a fifth-round TKO of previously unbeaten Petro Ivanov.

The left-handed, 28-year-old Iglesias recorded his most impressive victory September 4, when he stopped then-unbeaten Russian Vladimir Shishkin in the eighth round of their IBF elimination match.

Meanwhile, Silyagin, who is not ranked in The Ring’s top 10, has fought exclusively in Russia since he made his pro debut in February 2020.

The 32-year-old Silyagin owns a win over experienced former title challenger Isaac Chilemba, the only opponent to take Iglesias the distance. Iglesias beat the South African contender by unanimous decision in May 2022.

The lone blemish on Silyagin’s record is a 10-round split draw with Russia’s Shvedenko (17-2-1, 8 KOs) in September 2023. Silyagin most recently dominated hard-hitting Argentinean Pablo Corzo (24-1, 21 KOs) on his way to a wide win on all three scorecards July 5.

Osleys Iglesias-Pavel Silyagin negotiations underway for IBF title fight

Osleys Iglesias finally has a dance partner.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that Cuba’s Iglesias and Russia’s Pavel Silyagin have both immediately accepted the IBF’s invitation to challenge for its vacant super middleweight title fight. A negotiation period will be assigned to secure a deal before a purse bid hearing is assigned to determine promotional rights for the matter.

Iglesias, 14-0 (13 KOs), is a Cuban southpaw based in Berlin who now fights in Canada under the Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM) banner. Silyagin, 16-0-1 (7 KOs), is promoted by RCC Boxing.

As suggested by Boxing Scene throughout the process, Silyagin was bound to be selected given the contenders that were ranked ahead of him.

Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 63-3-2 (39 KOs), was the first to decline the offer, due to medical reasons. The former four-division champ and previous undisputed 168lbs king was recovering from surgery at the time he was notified of the vacant title fight opportunity.

As confirmed by Alvarez and boxing financier Turki Alalshikh, the legendary figure from Guadalajara will not fight again until September atop a “Mexico vs. the World” show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Tijuana’s Jaime Munguia, 43-2 (35 KOs), was next in queue but immediately declined. The former WBO 154lbs titlist and current top 168lbs contender Munguia is now pursuing a shot at WBA titlist Jose Armandao Resendiz, 14-2 (11 KOs). If finalized, the showdown is targeted for this spring.

Hamzah Sheeraz, 22-0-1 (18 KOs), also declined to move forward for separate title fight options. He is in talks with both Diego Pacheco, 25-0 (18 KOs), and Christian Mbilli, 29-0-1 (24 KOs), for the vacant WBO and WBC titles, respectively.

England’s Troy Williamson was willing to take the fight and ride the momentum gained from his upset knockout win over unbeaten countryman Callum Simpson last month. However, he is bound to a rematch clause that was immediately exercised by Simpson, with BOXXER set to stage the rematch sometime in May.

That led to Silyagin, who will likely have to hit the road for his first title opportunity – but who also has the backing to bring Iglesias to Russia if it comes down to a purse bid.

The 32-year-old contender has fought exclusively in Russia since his 2020 pro debut. His best feat to date is also, strangely, the lone blemish on his record – a September 2023 upset draw with highly touted countryman Evgeny Shvedenko.

Three wins have followed, including a 10-round virtual shutout over unbeaten Pablo Exequiel Corzo last July 5 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Iglesias has been the mandatory challenger since an eighth-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, 42-0 (31 KOs), via unanimous decision in Las Vegas.

The IBF belt became available when Crawford called it a career in December, three months after his fifth divisional title haul. He also vacated the WBA belt – which went to Resendiz by default as the interim titlist – and the WBO titles. Crawford was previously relieved of his WBC title for refusal to pay what he considered exorbitant sanctioning body fees.

One wouldn't have thought it would be that difficult to get an opponent for Iglesias. Now that Silyagin has agreed to the fight, they need to get the details squared away and a date on the calendar set.

Osleys Iglesias-Pavel Silyagin IBF title fight set for Apr. 9

Silyagin’s handlers, RCC Promotions, have officially announced that the two will swap fists on April 9 in Montreal, Canada, for the vacant IBF super middleweight title.

Initially, Iglesias (14-0, 13 KOs) was hoping to lure a more prominent name into the ring for his first crack at a world title. The IBF did its best to make that happen.

At first, they contacted Canelo Alvarez to gauge his interest. However, the Mexican star declined the invitation as he is recovering from elbow surgery. It then turned to Jaime Munguia and Hamzah Sheeraz, ranked No. 3 and 4. But, they also declined the invitation. Troy Williamson also got the call-up but he is set to rematch Callum Simpson in the spring instead.

Once Silyagin’s number was called, he quickly accepted. The 32-year-old picked up a near-flawless victory over Pablo Exequiel Corzo in July. Still, even with that win, he figures to be a massive underdog against Iglesias.

The 28-year-old has stopped 13 of his 14 opponents. In his last clash, he brutalized Vladimir Shishkin in the eighth-round of their September contest.

Iglesias is ranked No. 2 by The Ring.

osleys is a stud, good opportunity for him

silyagin was an elite amateur but looks a bit underpowered as a pro

Good fight. Silyagin fought to draw with some Shvedenko guy, Iglesias destroyed him in 1 round.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026, 13:41 osleys is a stud, good opportunity for him

silyagin was an elite amateur but looks a bit underpowered as a pro

Agreed. Silyagin doesn't have enough pop to keep Iglesias off him for 12 rounds. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this one doesn't make it to the halfway point.

Wilkens Mathieu heads up Iglesias-Silyagin undercard in Montreal

The event will be broadcast on worldwide on DAZN.

Rising super middleweight Wilkens Mathieu (15-0, 10 KOs) will put his two regional titles on the line against a still-to-be-named opponent in his first fight since winning a wide 10-round unanimous decision over Shakeel Phinn on October 30.

Elsewhere, former world title challenger Leila Beaudoin (13-2, 2 KOs) and middleweight Alexandre Gaumont (13-1, 9 KOs) return after defeats in December.

Beaudoin lost to Ring/IBF/WBA/WBO junior lightweight titlist Alycia Baumgardner (UD 12), while Gaumont (13-1, 9 KOs) fell to Ramadan Hiseni (UD 10).

Super middleweight Stephane Fondjo (14-2-1, 9 KOs), lightweight Luis Santana (15-0, 7 KOs) and junior lightweight Erik Israyelyan (4-0, 2 KOs) will all see action.

Their opponents are TBD.

Шансов у Силягина не много, точнее их очень мало. Хорошо бы этот бой не закончился как для Шведенко. Если Силягин уйдет на своих ногах это уже будет хорошо.

Мой прогноз: Победа по очкам Иглесиаса UD либо нокаут поздний

Next month

I'm looking forward to this IBF/WBO title match up, not because I think Silyagin will provide the Cuban with a stern test - I don't - but because I think Iglesias is the class of the SMW division and we don't get to see him fight enough.

Fight week!!

Fight Night!

Full weigh-in results are as follows:

Super middleweight – 12 rounds
Osleys Iglesias (167.5lbs) vs Pavel Silyagin (167.5lbs)

Junior welterweight – 10 rounds
Arthur Biyarslanov (139.4lbs) vs Jimerr Espinosa (139.4lbs)

Lightweight – 10 rounds
Luis Santana (134.2lbs) vs Chan Thonson (134.9lbs)

Junior lightweight – 10 rounds
Leila Beaudoin (131.7lbs) vs Victoria Bustos (130.1lbs)

Middleweight – 10 rounds
Alexandre Gaumont (159.7lbs) vs Luka Lozo (159.2lbs)

Junior lightweight – six rounds
Erik Israyelyan (131.5lbs) vs Franco Filgueira (130.7lbs)

Super middleweight – 10 rounds
Stephane Fondjo (167.5lbs) vs. Marcos Vazquez (166.8lbs)

Going to get up early and watch it before work. Gotta love DAZN.

Date: April 9, 2026
Location: Cabaret du Casino de Montreal - Québec Pavilion, 1 Ave du Casino, Montreal, Quebec H3C 1A9, Canada
TV/Stream: Punching Grace (province of Quebec), DAZN (International)
Time: 6:30 pm ET | 3:30 pm PT | 11:30 PM BST

Fight Card

IBO & vacant IBF Super Middleweight Championship
Osleys Iglesias vs. Pavel Silyagin

NABF Super Lightweight Championship
Arthur Biyarslanov vs. Jimerr Espinosa

Vacant NABF Lightweight Championship
Luis Santana vs. Chann Thonson

10 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Leila Beaudoin vs. Victoria Noelia Bustos

6 Round Super Featherweight Bout
Erik Israyelyan vs. Franco Filgueira

10 Round Super Middleweight Bout
Stephane Fondjo vs. Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez

Did anyone watch it live?

Strange quit job from Silyagin, sure he was a mile behind but he wasnt being hurt or even dominated, Iglesias was just slightly better landing slightly more, he hurt Silyagin in the 1st with a jab/cross and you thought it could go early but after that he was never hurt, Iglesias was nicking rounds by the odd jab or left hand, both guys made the other miss most of their punches, it was pretty poor in all honesty but after 8 rounds Silyagin bizarrely decided he had enough