Boxing
Iglesias vs. Silyagin on Thursday for the vacant IBF title
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.
The WBO champion quickly accepted a fight with Davis after the challenger rose to the top of the rankings
Devin Haney wasted no time reacting after Keyshawn Davis was elevated to No. 1 in the WBO welterweight rankings. The champion publicly welcomed the matchup, posting a low message on social media shortly after the updated rankings were released.
Let’s do it KEYSHAWN.. https://t.co/plq9hqQpBP
— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) June 3, 2026
This is absolute theater and to look at it like everything else is to succumb to the promotional machine. The moment the WBO rankings dropped and Keyshawn took the No. 1 spot, Haney knew the clock was ticking.
Had he remained still or tried to minimize Keyshawn’s 147-pound inexperience, the boxing world would have immediately labeled him a shirker. By jumping on X and immediately matching the energy, he completely obfuscates this narrative. He begins to look like a fearless champion who is ready for everyone, knowing full well that posting on social media doesn’t cost a penny or require a contract.
The reality of the situation suggests that this is a calculated public relations move rather than a genuine desire for several different reasons:
- Financial reality: Haney always strives for the highest possible bottom line. While the Keyshawn fight is in high demand among die-hard fans, it doesn’t compare to the massive payday of a potential rematch with Ryan Garcia or the other blockbuster pay-per-view opportunities that are likely at the top of his wish list.
- Mandatory timeline cushion: Haney knows how bodywork mechanisms turn. Even with the WBO expected to order a mandatory challenge this summer, negotiations, price offers and promotional extensions could add months to the schedule. He has plenty of time to consider other options before the real pressure comes.
- Risk versus reward: Fighting a adolescent, hungry and highly skilled fighter like Keyshawn, who has never even fought at welterweight, is a hazardous proposition in a title defense when there are much more lucrative, established names on the market.
Haney’s quick response was a great defensive move outside the ring to protect his brand. He gave fans an exhilarating quote they wanted to see, but when it comes to actual network deals, promotional arrangements and guarantees, the energy will likely change. On social media it’s uncomplicated to say “Let’s do this”; it’s a completely different story when the contract is sitting on your desk.
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Last updated: 2026/06/03 at 1:58
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