Alvarez Steps Back from IBF Title Fight Due to Surgical Recovery

Mexican boxer **Saul «Canelo» Alvarez** will not be able to participate in the fight for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) title due to his recovery from surgery. The title became vacant following the recent retirement of unbeaten Terence Crawford from the sport. This information was reported by Bloody Elbow.

The IBF had previously requested details regarding the availability of Alvarez and the mandatory challenger, unbeaten Cuban Osley Iglesias, to arrange a bout for the vacant belt. However, Alvarez, who underwent elbow surgery after his loss to Crawford in September 2025, is unable to compete in this match due to his rehabilitation process.

As a result, the next likely contender for a fight against Iglesias for the vacant IBF title in the super middleweight division appears to be Alvarez’s fellow countryman Jaime Munguia. Munguia, who is next in line in the IBF rankings, has already faced and lost to Canelo in May 2024.