Osleys Iglesias vs. Bruno Surace is in the works for a January 31 super middleweight clash on a card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The undefeated #1 IBF mandatory Iglesias (14-0, 13 KOs) and #10 IBF and #13 WBO Surace (26-2-2, 5 KOs) are reportedly in talks for the co-feature spot on the Christian Mbilli vs. Jaime Munguia map.
Carlos Linares reported the Iglesias-Sure News on His Substack website.
A showcase or a real test for Iglesias?
Havana-born, Germany-based Cuban Osleys Iglesias has shone like a precious emerald during his short six-year professional career, knocking out many of his opponents within three rounds. Is this a showcase for Osleys Iglesias – or a genuine test battle for Surace?
As southpaw Osleys has looked in his last six fights, his bout with 27-year-old Frenchman Surace could be a showcase-type fight.
Iglesias: The uncrowned king at 168 pounds
Although Surace has beaten former WBO junior middleweight champion Munguia in their two fights, splitting them 1-1, he faces what many boxing fans believe could be the uncrowned king of the 168-lb division in Iglesias.
That’s not a knock on undisputed super middleweight champion Terence Crawford. It’s the size, natural strength, youth and pedigree of Iglesias that has set him apart from all the top fighters in the division, including the 38-year-old Crawford and Canelo Alvarez. Those guys obviously aren’t going to mess with Osleys and possibly have him add to one of his highlight knockouts.
Why Crawford and Canelo won’t go near Him
So, it’s going to be Surace who looks like the next victim. In an ideal world, Crawford would show some sportsmanship and agree to fight Iglesias. However, this is not going to happen. Iglesias would potentially jeopardize his membership in boxing’s exclusive Mount Rushmore.
Despite his surprise knockout of Munguia in their first fight on December 14, 2024, Surace is not considered a big puncher. He’s still not an easy out for anyone with his cobra-like right hand that he throws at unpredictable times.
Surace steps into dangerous territory
Can he handle the jump in firepower going up against the deadly Cuban, Osleys, who possesses one-punch power with his right hook and straight left? Even when his opponents have their guard up, Iglesias punches through them. He doesn’t have to aim his shots around the guards because he hits so hard that the impact goes through their gloves. It won’t be a pretty picture for Surace to be beaten flat or with his guard against Iglesias.
By choosing to fight Surace next, Iglesias is positioning himself for a world title fight or, more likely, elevated if Crawford decides to vacate rather than face the Cuban fire. Is Iglesias taking this fight with Surace to gain visibility and showcase his talent to Turki Alalshikh and the boxing world? It’s an excellent way for Iglesias to show off the hidden gem.
Last updated on 11/11/2025
