Canelo Alvarez is set to go straight back into world title contention.
Canelo lost his undisputed super middleweight titles in a unanimous decision defeat to Terence Crawford in their September super fight in Las Vegas.
Crawford ended any hopes of Alvarez gaining revenge after calling time on his illustrious career earlier this month.
However, the Mexican great has been handed a route straight back to world title glory after Crawford relinquished all of his belts.
The IBF has ordered a vacant world title fight between Alvarez and number one contender, Osleys Iglesias.
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Iglesias, although relatively unheralded, is undefeated in 14 professional bouts with 13 knockouts.
Alvarez though has several options on the table outside of the dangerous Cuban.
The 35-year-old is the number one contender with the WBO, WBC and WBA, who are yet to make a decision on their belt status, but are likely to involve the four-weight world champion in their plans.
Alvarez is on the sidelines though, recovering after undergoing elbow surgery in October.
His trainer and manager, Eddy Reynoso has already ruled out a return on Cinco De Mayo weekend in May, the Mexican holiday which Alvarez has fought on for the last six years.
A light heavyweight title showdown between Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and David Benavidez is likely to occupy that spot now, with a rumoured date of May 2 in Las Vegas.
Canelo’s defeat to Crawford was just the third of his professional career, with Floyd Mayweather Jr and Dmitry Bivol the only other men to beat him.
Crawford shut down the possibility of a rematch with the Mexican in recent days, insisting there is no requirement to do so given the lack of a rematch clause.
“It’s over with,” the 38-year-old said during a live stream with Adin Ross.
“If there was a rematch clause in the contract then I’d have to honour that, but it’s over with.”
