IBF Orders Iglesias to Face Zinad as Canelo Weighs February Return

The IBF has ordered super-middleweight champion Osleys Iglesias to make a mandatory defence of his title against Malik Zinad, throwing a fresh complication into the division's biggest storyline. The sanctioning body issued the order in a letter obtained by The Ring, as reported by Mike Coppinger, and it arrives at the worst possible moment for Iglesias, with Canelo Alvarez still weighing up an opponent for a rumoured return in February. Iglesias, who is rated No. 2 at 168 pounds by The Ring, has been widely discussed as a possible next opponent for Canelo, and a meeting between the two would crown a new Ring champion at super-middleweight. Without an official ruling on a proposed Canelo fight, however, declaring Iglesias unavailable would be jumping the gun, and the IBF's order now forces the Cuban champion's camp to choose between the mandatory and the sport's biggest payday. Canelo's camp has yet to confirm any opponent for February, and the timing of the IBF's intervention means the clock is now ticking on both fronts. If Iglesias takes the Zinad defence, a Canelo clash would have to wait; if he pursues the Mexican superstar instead, he risks his belt. Either way, the super-middleweight picture, which has been quiet since Canelo's last outing, is suddenly moving again.