Canelo Alvarez ordered for IBF super-middleweight title fight after Terence Crawford retirement

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez has been ordered to face Osley Iglesias for the IBF super-middleweight title he lost to Terence Crawford in September.

But the Mexican superstar is unlikely to challenge the governing body's top-ranked contender as he continues to recover from elbow surrgery.

Canelo suffered his third professional loss to Crawford in the latest defence of his undisputed crown this year, ending his pound-for-pound reign.

The latter's retirement earlier this month however has put all four major belts back on the table however, with several contenders chasing a shot.

Having suffered defeat last time out, Canelo would be expected to mount an immediate challenge once again, as he remains favourably ranked.

The IBF's order for a mandatory bout between him and their number-one fighter Iglesias would offer an immediate pathway back to the summit.

Yet with an unknown timeframe on his recovery, plus the relative low-profile of his opponent as a box-office draw, it seems unlikely the fight will be made.

That raises further questions over who Canelo may yet fight next, now that a rematch with Crawford is off the table for good, with plenty of options.

Canelo order signals staying power as division opens up

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

Terence Crawford's decision to hang up his gloves was not a complete shock - and nor is the fact that Canelo Alvarez is tipped to bounce back too.

The order from the IBF to put him back into immediate title consideration siganls the staying power of a fighter who has often dominated this division.

Recovery from a problem with his elbow however means that the likelihood of any immediate challenge is slim - and Iglesias is likely not his choice too.

With only a number of major fights likely left on the table, Canelo will surely pursue bigger paydays against talents that draw in a blockbuster crowd.

Chris Eubank Jr. has been frequently mooted as an option, but others such as Hamzah Sheeraz and Diego Pacheco are in the mix for an open division.

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