Boxing
Iglesias vs. Silyagin on Thursday for the vacant IBF title
Published
2 weeks agoon
The undefeated Cuban will face Silyagin for the vacant IBF title in Montreal. This fight ended without much fanfare despite facing two undefeated challengers. Iglesias was ranked No. 1 by the IBF and yet he got to this point with little of his regular physique that has multiple knockouts under his belt.
Osleys Iglesias is the most avoided fighter right now, he weighs 168 pounds, is a powerful puncher with a 93% knockout rate and a style that doesn’t offer “uncomplicated” rounds. So far, the risk-reward ratio for fighters like Canelo and Munguia who have faced him has been completely uneven.
Thursday’s fight against Pavel Silyagin in Montreal is exactly what he needs to change that.
Iglesias finished 13 of his 14 wins over the distance, and power is the part that tends to travel. He fights in a southpaw position, applies constant pressure and throws with intent in every rally. His right hook, unusual for lefties, was a consistent finishing weapon, and his style forced opponents to make decisions rather than allowing them to adjust to rhythm or range.
If he delivers another clinical demolition to an undefeated fighter like Silyagin, he will fit perfectly into the Riyadh Season brand.
Silyagin also remains undefeated, although with a different profile. He covered the distance more often, and built his record through control and positioning, not by dealing damage. This contrast gives structure to the fight. Iglesias tries to close the distance and force exchanges. Silyagin will need to manage the space and avoid being drawn into constant trading.
There wasn’t much pressure surrounding Iglesias heading into this fight, and that absence meant that despite his ranking at 168, he remained out of most discussions. Winning the title immediately changes that. The division already has some established names at the top, but a pressure player with strength in both hands needs little introduction if the result is decisive.
Up to this point, critics could point to his level of opposition to justify his silence. Silyagin is a legal amateur fighter with a high IQ. If Iglesias passes through him, the “he didn’t fight anyone” excuse immediately disappears.
The risk for Iglesias is that even with the belt, he will remain in “high-risk, low-pay” purgatory. We saw this with David Benavidez, who ultimately had to move up to 175 pounds because he couldn’t convince the massive names to bite.
If Iglesias wins but doesn’t get Alalshikh’s nod, he could find himself defending his IBF title against unknown mandates while the big-money fights take place elsewhere.
I think this is his breakthrough moment. He is 28 years aged, in excellent shape and has the support of Eye of the Tiger, which built him masterfully in Montreal. Silyagin is robust, but lacks an equalizer to keep “El Tornado” away from him.
If Iglesias wins by devastating knockout, he will no longer just be a contender to be avoided; he will be a champion aspiring to be the best in the world, not Saul Alvarez.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reports focus on the most critical fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
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Boxing
Floyd Mayweather confirms next fight – Tyson dropped out due to Pacquiao’s plans
Published
19 minutes agoon
April 23, 2026
Floyd Mayweather has confirmed his next fight, leaving Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao’s plans up in the air.
Mayweather will face Mike Zambidis on June 27 in Athens, Greece, in an exhibition that has previously only been mentioned on social media.
Mayweather has gone in a different direction – one that doesn’t involve risk to his 50-0 record.
This one is real. Others never made it this far.
When Mayweather first mentioned Zambidis, it carried the same uncertainty as the proposed Tyson fight, which appeared online but never followed up. Tickets are already on sale and the place is secured. The fight is closed.
Nothing ever came after Tyson.
Tyson’s fight is over
As World Boxing News reported when the April 25 date was discussed, the proposed fight with Mike Tyson never followed Mayweather’s usual fight. As the deadline approached, there was no sustained promotion, confirmation or push.
An idea appeared, gained attention, and then disappeared.
At this stage it looks like he’s done, especially considering Tyson’s age and complete lack of movement over time.
Pacquiao is still waiting
A rematch with Pacquiao remains on the cards, but only on paper.
Recent progress has removed a sticking point in the contract, and Pacquiao Promotions hosts the fight on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Mayweather is also understood to have received a cash advance after early disagreements over whether the fight would be professional or exhibition.
Still, there was no confirmation.
Everything around Pacquiao is improving – except the part that matters.
The priority is the fight against Zambidis
Zambidis is now in central defense.
He’s not replacing Pacquiao – he’s buying time for Mayweather.
The June 27 fight will see Mayweather confirmed to return while the larger deal remains unfinished, but it also raises a familiar issue.
Control.
Pacquiao’s team, led by CEO Jas Mathur, is leading the process. This wasn’t how Mayweather usually behaved. Throughout his career, he dictated conditions, deadlines and promotions.
This balance has not yet been determined.
With Zambidis confirmed, Mayweather’s short-term path is clear. What happens next depends on whether she regains control or allows the Pacquiao fight to continue without her.
Until that changes, Zambidis isn’t a detour – it’s the only fight that actually exists.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
Boxing
Gervonta Davis accused of avoiding undefeated rival: ‘He said he would never fight’
Published
2 hours agoon
April 23, 2026
Gervonta Davis’ return appears imminent, but it’s unclear whether the now-hiatus WBA lightweight champion will fight at 135 pounds, and the team of his expected lightweight opponent says “Tank” is avoiding them.
Davis, a three-division champion, has held the WBA title since delayed 2023 and defended it twice, defeating Frank Martin and then drawing with Lamont Roach Jr during his last trip, over a year ago.
However, in January, Davis lost his champion status and was instead named halftime champion, meaning he will likely get a chance to regain the belt after his first fight at 135 pounds.
Although despite rumors that the Baltimore-born knockout puncher will fight at super lightweight and face Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz upon his return, no modern lightweight champion has yet been crowned or a free-for-all title fight ordered.
Floyd Schofield is currently the man to benefit from this situation, but his team is growing increasingly frustrated with the slowness of the process as they wait to be promoted to champion or ordered to fight for the title – against Davis or an alternative challenger.
I’m talking to Boxing in Mill City“Kid Austin”‘s father and trainer, Floyd Schofield Snr, expressed his belief that Davis was avoiding his son and revealed plans to fight for the “Tank” title against a slimmed-down version.
“You need to drop the belt! They’re breaking the law now, federal law. Do I think ‘Kid’ is ready for ‘Tank’?” “The Kid” is ready for them all. There’s a reason why Tank said, “I’ll never get in the ring with that kid. There’s a reason his trainer went online and said Tank will never get in the ring with him.”
“Tank said it out of his own mouth and Tank’s trainer said it on the internet in an interview and said that ‘The reason Tank said it is because he looks at him like an older brother.’ The thing is, Tank can’t go down to 135 and fight Kid, Tank would be at a disadvantage.”
“We want to suck him arid and fight him at 135 pounds, that’s the biggest advantage we have right now. If we let Tank get used to it, he would be on fire, and we let Tank get used to that weight? No!”
“He weighs around 175 pounds now, he needs to get down to 135 pounds and get ready to get in the ring to fight, and the WBA will just do it.” [rehydration clause] where it can only go up to 152 pounds.
Negotiations for Davis-Cruz II are believed to be ongoing, and once confirmation is announced, the WBA will likely make its own announcement regarding the modern lightweight champion.
Boxing
Jermell Charlo is negotiating a fight with Sebastian Fundora
Published
4 hours agoon
April 23, 2026
He also claimed that future options are already planned for Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence Jr.
“We are talking to Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence. All three have agreed to fight me.”
This is an ambitious statement from a fighter who has not competed since his defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2023. Charlo turns 36 on May 19, and many fans believe the long break should mean tuning in or fighting a challenger first rather than immediately fighting for the champion. Charlo, however, made it clear that he still sees himself as the best man in the division.
The problem is that Jermell is essentially trying to cash his 2022 check in a completely different economy. PPV prices on PBC have increased to over $75, and asking fans to pay that for a guy who hasn’t won a fight since May 2022 is tough. This is a financial risk for promoters.
Jermell is used to unquestioned ‘money. If he’s asking for a huge guaranteed amount to fight Fundora or Ennis, the math just doesn’t work for the promoter unless the bid is above $150 or $200,000.
In boxing, three years is an eternity. Since Jermell stayed noiseless, we’ve seen the rise of Xander Zayas and the emergence of “Boots” Ennis at 154.
“I told you I was coming back. I told you I wanted my stripes,” Charlo said. “Nobody beat me by the belt.”
Promoters aren’t calling because Jermell’s confidence is currently low. If the promoter puts him in the main event and he looks like the version of himself that did or didn’t show up in the Canelo Alvarez match, the event is a disaster. Financially, it could still be a disaster.
Jermell wants the reward of a champion without the upgrade tax that every other veteran has to pay after a long layoff. With 2026 filled with newborn, hungry and busy talent, thinking that you can simply move to the front of the queue because of what you did four years ago is definitely a bold choice.
If Jermell had just gone for it and beaten some of the top 154 fighters like Israil Madrimov, Bakhram Murtazaliev and Brandon Adams, it wouldn’t have been much of a problem.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reports focus on the most vital fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
Floyd Mayweather confirms next fight – Tyson dropped out due to Pacquiao’s plans
Gervonta Davis accused of avoiding undefeated rival: ‘He said he would never fight’
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