Tremendous middleweight prospect Osleys Iglesias. Photograph: Polsat Boxing Promotions
Osleys Iglesias has scored two devastating first-round knockouts this yr and is looking for the hat trick towards Sena Agbeko.
Iglesias, rated at No. 3 by The Ring at tremendous middleweight, will face Agbeko in chief assist to stablemate’s Christian Mbilli’s bout towards Sergey Derevyanchenko on the Videotron in Quebec Metropolis, Canada, on Saturday.
“Agbeko is a really skilled and highly effective boxer,” Iglesias (11-0, 10 knockouts) instructed The Ring via Wolf-Dieter Jacobi. “Agbeko is a boxer who’s all the time in search of his likelihood. He has a KO fee of virtually 80 %. He has a great punch and follows up when he has hit his opponent.
“As with every different opponent, I’ll take this combat very critically and put together myself optimally.”
Iglesias’ Cuban countryman David Morrell stopped Agbeko in two rounds final December and there are certain to be comparisons, however Iglesias is eager to distance himself from that, specializing in the duty at hand and never getting forward of himself.
“David Morrell gained the combat convincingly,” he mentioned. “I don’t wish to examine myself with others. I’m going my very own means, and that gained’t finish till I’m undisputed tremendous middleweight champion. I may also supply the spectators a spectacular combat on August 17 in Quebec Metropolis.”
The 26-year-old has definitely caught the general public’s consideration, and expectations have peaked with wins over former world title challenger Marcelo Coceres (KO 1) and once-beaten Evgeny Shvedenko (KO 1).
On l’appelle la Tornade🌪️
🥶Le Ok.-O. au 1er spherical d’Osleys Iglesias sur Evgeny Shvedenko nous donne encore des frissons…
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We name him the Twister🌪️🥶The primary spherical KO of Osleys Iglesias over Evgeny Shvedenko nonetheless give us chills…#ButlerVolny | #EottmArmy pic.twitter.com/i0HqeRu4E8
— Eye of the Tiger (@eottm_boxing) June 7, 2024
“I’m very joyful that I used to be capable of supply the followers in Canada two such spectacular knockouts,” he mentioned. “Shvedenko is an effective boxer with superb protection.
“I’m all of the extra happy that the techniques I rehearsed with my coach, Georg Bramowski, labored out so nicely. You’ll be able to’t pressure the knockout. I wish to field nicely after which constantly exploit each hole in my opponent’s sport. It’s nice that so many followers watched the combat.”
This would be the power-puncher’s third combat in 5 months since signing promotional varieties with Canada-based promoter Eye of The Tiger.
“I’ve solely boxed two rounds this yr,” he mentioned laughing, when he was requested about being energetic. “I used to be very joyful that Camille Estephan provided me one other combat after my KO win over Shvedenko.
“I’m prepared. Coaching for my fights could be very intensive and really onerous work. However I like boxing and success. It’s going to be an important night time of boxing in Quebec and I’m very proud to be a part of it.”
Every win has seen Iglesias transfer nearer to the highest of the tremendous middleweight division, which has lately seen David Benavidez and Morrell depart for gentle heavyweight.
“Each combat, each victory brings me a little bit nearer to my aim,” he mentioned. “I wish to combat the very best boxers within the tremendous middleweight division and beat them. If anybody dares — I’m prepared. Right here we go.”
First, he has to maintain enterprise towards Agbeko, and if he can proceed the eye-catching performances, it will likely be attention-grabbing to see if he turns into boxing’s newest boogeyman.
His promoter, Camille Estephan of Eye of The Tiger, is aware of all too nicely the problem in securing fights for his rising star.
“Persons are undoubtedly tremendous cautious to combat him,” mentioned the EOTT president. “It’s fairly an train to get him opponents.
“I’m very, very joyful together with his two fights thus far. I feel he’ll be one of many prime two or three guys for a few years to come back.”
Agbeko (28-3, 22 KOs) turned skilled in his native Ghana in 2011. After 15 consecutive wins, he misplaced in his American debut towards Raymond Gatica (TKO 4), after which he didn’t combat once more for 3 years.
Upon his return, Agbeko scored eight wins earlier than dropping a large resolution to Vladimir Shishkin (UD 10). He received again to profitable methods, notably beating Winfred Harris Jr. (TKO 9) and beforehand unbeaten Isaiah Steen (UD 10) however was stopped by Morrell (TKO 2) in his final combat in December 2023.
Mbilli-Derevyanchenko, plus undercard bouts, will likely be broadcast on ESPN at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.
Questions and/or feedback will be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
