Osleys Iglesias makes a statement, calls out Canelo

By William Dumoulin

Photo credit: Vincent Ethier – Eye of the Tiger

In a clash for the IBF mandatory challenger spot to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Osleys Iglesias (14-0, 13 KOs) delivered another emphatic message to the super middleweight division, stopping Vladimir Shishkin (16-2, 10 KOs) by TKO in the 8th round with a dominant performance. The Cuban now says he’s fully ready to face the undisputed champion and wasted no time issuing a challenge:

“I think I sent a message tonight: if he doesn’t want to fight me, it’s not because I don’t put on a show—it’s because he’s afraid. I’m a young, hungry fighter with real punching power, so if he refuses to face me, maybe it’s because he knows I’m too strong and too young for him.”

Still, realism is required. Despite the IBF’s firm stance, it’s unlikely the fight will be ordered anytime soon, especially if Canelo defeats Terence Crawford on September 13. Iglesias’s promoter, Camille Estephan, plans to keep him active in the meantime, possibly on high-profile Ring Magazine cards:

“I think there’s a good chance he’ll appear on a Ring Magazine card with Turki Alalshikh either late this year or early next year. Our goal is to keep him fighting and improving.”

Asanau adds a second minor belt

After winning and defending the WBC Continental title earlier this year, Dzmitry Asanau (11-0, 5 KOs) had the chance to claim the IBF Inter-Continental crown against undefeated Frenchman Laid Douadi (27-1-1, 3 KOs). Dominating the first two rounds, Asanau ended the fight with a vicious left hook to the body.

Jhon Orobio defends his WBC Continental title with ease

Matched against a last-minute opponent, Colombian prospect Jhon Orobio (15-0, 13 KOs) made a successful first defense of his WBC Continental super lightweight belt against Mexico’s Ivan Basurto Monroy (10-9, 10 KOs). Scheduled for 8 rounds, Orobio came out firing, dropping Basurto twice in the opening frame. After surviving the second, Basurto was eventually overwhelmed by Orobio’s power.

Other results from the evening

• Avery Martin Duval (14-0-1, 8 KOs) stopped Luis Campos Cortez (11-2, 7 KOs) in round 5.

• Moreno Fendero (12-0, 10 KOs) knocked out Boris Crighton (13-6, 7 KOs) in the 3rd round.

• Wyatt Sanford (4-0, 2 KOs) earned a unanimous decision (60-54 x3) over Semjon Kamanin (5-4, 3 KOs).

  Résumé Iglesias-Shishkin