British super-middleweight prospect Mark Jeffers is on the verge of a potentially career-defining clash this summer.
Jeffers, ranked number 7 by the IBF, is being considered to challenge the undefeated IBO world champion Osleys Iglesias (13-0, 12 KOs). The 27-year-old Jeffers boasts a perfect record of 20 wins without defeat. He recently saw action on Sunday in Birmingham on the undercard of Whittaker-Cameron 2, securing a second-round knockout victory over Ricardo Lara.
Widely recognized as one of the UK`s premier super-middleweight talents, Jeffers is eager to test his skills against top international competitors. Iglesias, also 27, a powerful southpaw from Cuba now based in Germany, presents a significant challenge. He holds higher rankings, sitting at number 4 with the IBF (three spots above Jeffers) and number 3 with the WBC. Jeffers expressed his strong desire for the fight to happen, hoping it materializes on July 12 in New York, potentially as part of the undercard supporting Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda.
Recounting how the opportunity arose, Jeffers said, “On Saturday, my promoter Ben Shalom approached me and mentioned a big fight offer. I was fighting on Sunday, so he said we`d discuss it after my bout. Then, on Monday, my manager Kev Maree messaged me with the offer – the IBO world title. He suggested meeting Tuesday, but I asked if we could meet that night, and I accepted immediately. I spoke with my coaches Mick and Dave Jennings. We all met Monday evening as soon as I found out, and I told them to get back to the promoter right away to accept the fight. And that was that.”
Iglesias, standing 6-foot-2½ and weighing 168 pounds, is known for his aggressive style. He is considered a top contender pushing towards the very elite of the super-middleweight division, currently headed by undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez.
Despite the formidable opponent, Jeffers remains confident in his ability to make a significant impact on the world stage.
“It`s a fight I believe I can win,” he stated. “He`s clearly a good fighter, he`s the IBO world champion, but I truly believe I am the best super-middleweight out there. You have to beat the best, and that`s exactly what I plan to do on July 12 if this fight gets made. I`m really praying it happens.”
He added, “This is the dream – to fight in New York for a world title. It doesn`t get any bigger than that. I was never going to turn it down, so I`m praying they can make it happen.”
