IBF Orders Iglesias To Face Zinad

The IBF has ordered middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super middleweight champion Osleys Iglesias to make his first mandatory defense against Malik Zinad, according to Bad Left Hook.

Iglesias won the vacant IBF title earlier this year and defended it once, both times by knockout. The Cuban remains unbeaten at 16-0 with 15 stoppages heading into what will be his inaugural mandatory assignment at 168 pounds.

Zinad's Path To Title Shot Raises Questions

Zinad holds a 24-1 record with 18 knockouts but his recent activity raises eyebrows. His two victories in the past two years reportedly came above the middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super middleweight limit against unheralded opposition. The Libyan's sole notable win came over Jerome Pampellone, and he was stopped by Dmitry Bivol in what stands as the Russian's only knockout across his last 13 fights.

The IBF's super middleweight rankings currently show two vacant spots at the top before Kevin Lele Sadjo and Zinad. How the sanctioning body arrived at Zinad as mandatory challenger remains unclear given that no official final eliminator took place. Bad Left Hook noted the decision represents "some WBA crap" in terms of awarding a top ranking to a fighter who has never competed in the division.

The mandatory order effectively shelves any near-term unification prospects for Iglesias, who lacks the promotional muscle to force bigger names into the ring despite his knockout power. No timeline for the defense has been announced.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — IBF orders Osleys Iglesias to face Malik Zinad