Iglesias Defends IBF Belt Against Unbeaten Zaren

IBF middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super middleweight champion Osleys Iglesias will defend his title against unbeaten Dane Oliver Zaren on October 8th in Quebec, Bad Left Hook reports.

Zaren brings a 19-0-1 record with eight knockouts into the bout. The 25-year-old has spent most of his career facing limited opposition in Denmark, though he ventured to Spain in June for a European title shot against Jose Luis Navarro Jr. That fight ended in a no contest when a thunderstorm forced officials to halt the outdoor bout, reportedly after Zaren had built an early lead on the cards.

Iglesias Looking to Continue Destructive Run

Iglesias has torn through the middleweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super middleweight division since turning professional, winning all 15 fights with 14 stoppages. The Cuban knocked out Vladimir Shishkin and Pavel Silyagin in consecutive starts, claiming the IBF strap with the latter victory. He has rarely dropped a round against anyone put in front of him.

The matchup represents a voluntary defense for Iglesias, who does not yet have a mandatory challenger lined up. Zaren sits at number five in the IBF rankings, making him a sanctioning-acceptable opponent even if the bout lacks marquee appeal. The other champions at 168 pounds have shown little interest in facing the heavy-handed Cuban.

The fight lands one week before Christian Mbilli challenges Canelo Alvarez on Halloween, giving Quebec fight fans two October title fights featuring local favorites. Iglesias has made the province his adopted home base since leaving Cuba.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — Osleys Iglesias vs Oliver Zaren reportedly set for October 8th