Overview
- After Terence Crawford’s retirement fractured the 168-pound title picture, the IBF sounded out Iglesias vs. Alvarez for the vacant belt rather than issuing a formal order.
- Alvarez informed the federation he is unavailable as he continues rehab from October arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow, a recovery estimated at 12–15 weeks.
- Eddy Reynoso has indicated Alvarez will skip his customary May date and plan for a September comeback, pushing any title bid to later in the year.
- With Alvarez passing, the IBF is expected to move down its rankings, and Jaime Munguia is currently the next available contender to face Iglesias.
- Iglesias’ camp says it is ready for the next name the IBF designates, and industry reporters clarified earlier claims of an ‘ordered’ Alvarez fight were only an availability inquiry.