Saul “Canelo” Avarez is an unhappy champion a day after being stripped of his IBF middleweight title by the International Boxing Federation. His promoters at Golden Boy Promotions were unable to hammer out a deal with his IBF mandatory challenger Sergiy Derevyanchenko.
Canelo (52-1-2, 35 KOs) says he’s “Upset” and “ashamed” over it.
“I’m very upset and ashamed with my fans, to be unfairly stripped of my belt by the IBF, but specially when I did not have the knowledge of the agreement that GBP match maker had signed,” said Canelo on Twitter. “For my part I will continue as usual, with discipline and desire to continue triumphing.”
IBF president Daryl Peoples told ESPN that Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker Robert Diaz had agreed that Canelo would vacate his IBF 160 pound title.