Iglesias claims vacant IBF super-middleweight title

Osleys Iglesias (right) fighting Bernard DonfackImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Osleys Iglesias (right) defeated Bernard Donfack in his third professional fight in 2020

ByMike Peter
BBC Sport journalist
  • Published

Osleys Iglesias stopped Pavel Silyagin in the eighth round to secure the vacant IBF super-middleweight title in Montreal.

The Cuban, who is unbeaten in 15 professional bouts, claimed the belt previously held by undisputed champion Terence Crawford before his retirement in December.

Iglesias, 29, landed an uppercut on Silyagin in the first round, causing the Russian's right eye to swell up.

The fight was stopped when Iglesias inflicted further damage in the eighth round, leading to the 32-year-old retreating to his corner with damage to both eyes and a bloody nose.

Three of Crawford's belts now have new holders, with Christian Mbilli in possession of the WBC title and Armando Resendiz holding the WBA version.

Britain's Hamzah Sheeraz and Alem Begic will fight for the WBO title on 23 May, on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk's defence of the WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven.

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