CUBAN super-middleweight Osleys Iglesias is fast-emerging as a threat to the biggest names at 168lbs and ahead of his next step toward the summit of the division, the Havana-born lefty has vowed to ‘eat Vladimir Shishkin alive’.
Iglesias, 13-0 (12 KOs), turned professional with lofty expectations upon his shoulders and ‘El Tornado’ seems poised to meet or even exceed them, based off his professional career thus far.
In late 2022, Iglesias claimed the IBO super-middleweight belt in just his eighth pro contest, knocking out Andrii Velikovskyi to thrust his name into the wider title picture and capture the attention of his super-middleweight rivals.
Since then, the hard-hitting southpaw has signed to Eye of the Tiger Promotions in Canada and has won solely by stoppage, extending his streak to seven straight knockouts.
Now, in a fifth consecutive outing in North America, the reigning IBO titlist is looking to edge closer to a shot at a recognised world title and apply pressure onto the likes of Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford.
However, before Iglesias can turn his attention to the superstars of his weight-class, he must first overcome a recognised world level operator in Vladimir Shishkin, 16-1 (10 KOs), whom he faces on Thursday, September 4, in what will be Iglesias’ first fight in 10 months.
Speaking exclusively with Boxing News, Iglesias looked ahead to the event, keen to see how far he has developed in the time in which he has been away from the ring and how he copes with an opponent who is deemed by many to be his toughest test to date.
“I’m feeling really good, besides not fighting [regularly]. I have been training and training, but I can’t tell how much I have improved, we will see on fight night. I have been training really hard and sparring really good.
“Every fight they tell me the same thing, [that this opponent will provide a sterner test] and I reply the same thing every fight. I always come to the ring at my best, however they show up is not my problem. I pay attention to only myself every time that I go into the ring.
“I would like Shishkin to come at his best so that I can come better.”
Instinctively aggressive, naturally front-footed and ruthless when presented with the opportunity to finish, Iglesias will be delighted with news that his scrap with Shishkin will take place in a rather small ring at the Montreal Casino.
Keen for a tear-up that will excite the fans, the 27-year-old threatened to ‘eat the Russian alive’ if Shishkin dares to adopt a back-footed, negative style.
“We are going out there to fight, hopefully he is going to come and fight, but if I see that he is irritating [by fighting defensively], then I am going to eat him alive.
“It’s going to be a great fight, none of my fights are boring.”
Whilst concentrated on himself and his upcoming battle with Shishkin, Iglesias went on to admit that he is hopeful for a future fight with the victor of Canelo-Crawford and that he is ready and willing to accept that challenge now.
“If Canelo/Crawford is the opportunity after this fight, I am going to welcome it and go ahead but I’m not focussed on that. If they give me the opportunity, I will be ready and I hope that they do.”
Iglesias-Shishkin will be available to watch live on Punching Grace in just over two weeks’ time, where Iglesias aims for a statement victory that turns further heads at 168lbs.
