News

Cuban World Title Threat Scores Scary Knockout Of The Year Contender

Written by Tom Eaton on 7th June 2024.

Knockout

With the rapid rise of the likes of Robeisy Ramirez, David Morrell and Andy Cruz, it seems as though it is just a matter of time until the Cuban’s become a major force in the world of professional boxing, marking a new era since Fidel Castro’s ban was lifted in 2022. Last night, one of Cuba’s most obvious title threats moved one step closer to a title challenge with a frightening knockout.

After four silver medals at the national championships as an amateur, Osleys Iglesias made the switch to the professional ranks in 2019 with solid amateur pedigree, boasting a victory over David Morrell but understandably being defeated by Arlen Lopez and Israil Madrimov in the standout bouts of his record.

‘El Tornado’ took to life as a pro like a duck to water, beginning with five consecutive knockouts that each came within the second-round or sooner, although these contests were spread out across a two-and-a-half year period in a relatively inactive emergence onto the scene.

However, during 2022 Iglesias stepped things up a gear, fighting on four occasions and facing two-time world title challenger Isaac Chilemba in just his sixth official bout, whom he defeated on points.

In his last outing of that year, the hard-hitting southpaw extended his record to 8-0 and claimed the IBO super-middleweight title and scored two further knockout wins before he stepped through the ropes to defend his title against Evgeny Shvedenko (16-1-1) in Montreal last night in the main-event of the Thursday night bill.

At the end of the first-round, Iglesias brought the contest to a close as he landed a lead right-hook that looped over the guard and onto the temple of his Russian dance-partner, folding his legs and sending him crashing into the canvas.

Yet, the shot was not the most eye-catching part of the stoppage, as the legs of Shvedenko began flailing whilst his eyes rolled back into his head, as cheers from fans in attendance turned into grimaces and commentators reeled in their excitement and paused with concern, in a viral clip on social media.

Thankfully, the 33-year-old challenger was able to get back to his feet just 30 seconds after he was dropped, whilst Iglesias’ tremendous shot was greeted with the appreciation that it deserved after the replay was shown to the crowd.

Osleys Iglesias subsequently moved to 11-0 with a tenth career knockout to his name and an eighth inside two rounds. The 26-year-old stepped through the ropes ranked at ninth with the WBC and eighth with The Ring but is likely to move up further following the win.

At present, Iglesias represents one of the standout threats to Canelo Alvarez’s undisputed super-middleweight throne, but sits well behind countryman William Scull, as well as both Edgar Berlanga, Christian Mbilli in the pecking order for a shot at the pound-for-pound superstar.

We will know Canelo Alvarez’s next move in a matter of days, with him forced to either defend his belts against Scull or vacate the IBF world title.

Boxing Social is now on WhatsApp! Join our channel by clicking here and getting all the latest boxing news direct to your phone.