Canelo is also coming off a clear loss to Crawford, a fight that so soon took away any appetite for another high-risk style contrast. Even with a healthy elbow, it’s hard to believe Alvarez would have taken the fight.
There’s a difference between being outboxed by a 38-year-old Crawford in a careful fight and getting hit by an aggressive southpaw who carries power in both hands. That second option is what Alvarez faced against the 27-year-old Iglesias.
That fight would have looked nothing like the Crawford fight. It wouldn’t have been twelve rounds of movement with occasional bursts of pounding. Iglesias pressure. He throws with intent. He doesn’t wait. He tries to break down opponents, not outmaneuver them.
The question now is how long it takes before someone agrees to step in with him. The bigger names at super middleweight. Hamzah Sheeraz. Jaime Munguia. Edgar Berlanga. Caleb Plant. No one is expected to volunteer, and no one seems eager to accept that type of risk.
Iglesias developed a reputation as the division’s troublemaker. This usually results in a lesser-known opponent getting the call. His promoter, Camille Estephan, has been pushing for a Munguia fight, but Munguia is apparently looking elsewhere for another opportunity.
This leaves an unknown group of names. Simon Zachenhuber. William Scull. Bruno Surace. No one will help Iglesias build a profile or momentum, but that’s often the price paid when the belt is up for grabs, and no one wants to risk it.
And at some point someone always takes the risk. Being elevated to IBF champion without beating a recognized name will only limit what Iglesias can prove. Winning a belt like that raises questions, and it’s the worst way to start a reign.
