Iglesias and Silyagin will headline an Eye of the Tiger event from Montreal, Quebec, Canada to be aired worldwide on DAZN, representing the biggest stage either man has fought on to this point in their professional careers.

In the eyes of those who have followed the careers of both, it's a long time coming. Iglesias and Silyagin have, to different degrees and for differing lengths of time, been considered two of the sport's biggest hidden gems.

The two men have travelled somewhat similar paths as amateurs and later the paid ranks. Both had designs on representing Cuba and Russia at the Olympics, but were trapped behind buzzier prospects in their national systems. With realistic hopes at the Games dashed, even after in Silyagin's case, a World Championships bronze medal in 2015, they sought glory in the pro code, contending with the geopolitical hurdles their homelands posed.

In 2019, Iglesias escaped Cuba and made his way to Germany, simply remaining in the country following the Cologne Cup tournament. If he hadn't, not only was a spot on the Cuban A-team unlikely with Arlen Lopez in the mix, but a professional career—until quite recently—would not have been possible in any respect as a Cuban resident.

Silyagin meanwhile, turned down offers and suggestions to either remain in the amateurs or oscillate between the pros and amateurs like former teammate Muslim Gadzhimagomedov, focusing solely on a pro campaign in 2020.

In terms of professional buzz, Iglesias and Silyagin found themselves somewhat in the shadow of their countrymen. Iglesias watched as David Morrell, whom he beat in the amateurs, became heralded as the next Cuban star. Silyagin, referred to at times in Russian media as "the new Bivol," didn’t get the opportunities abroad that others did, exclusively fighting in Russia even to this point in his career. For a group of boxing hardcores however, both men have been regarded as secrets being kept from the industry.

In 2024, Iglesias inked a deal with Eye of the Tiger, effectively changing his "fighting home" from Germany, where he'd spent the bulk of his pro career, to the boxing hotbed of Montreal. As a result, he was given airtime on ESPN+ and his promoter's own streaming service Punching Grace, making him accessible to viewers in North America not well-versed enough in the ways of the internet to track down German television streams.

He made the absolute most of his airtime, scoring eight consecutive knockouts heading into his first world title fight on Thursday, including one of the most frightening knockouts in recent memory over Evgeny Shvedenko.

Shvedenko provided the only blemish on Silyagin's career thus far, a ten-round draw in 2023. Otherwise, Silyagin's career has been mostly characterized by a series of lopsided decision wins coming from disciplined boxing performances. Like Iglesias, he too has made the most of the North American exposure he has received. In his third pro fight, Silyagin had a tremendous, if not one-sided action fight with warhorse Artysh Lopsan on a stream hosted by Salita Promotions.

Then, Silyagin was given a spot on the ESPN+ streamed undercard of Artur Beterbiev's bout against Adam Deines in 2021, nearly shutting out Azizbek Abdugofurov. Aside from that, Silyagin's career has been broadcast either on his promoter RCC's YouTube page, or on channels only available via covert means for the truly obsessed.

It's quite fitting that Iglesias-Silyagin sits atop an Eye of the Tiger bill.

The promotional outfit led by Camille Estephan has historically been a home for under-the-radar stars. Courtesy of Estephan's bullish approach to snatching international talent, and swiss army knife Marc Ramsay's ability to track them down and lure assets to Canada, Eye of the Tiger has been able to unearth other gems like Jhon Orobio, Dmitry Azanau and more to pair with its impressive roster of Quebec-based talent.

Pound-for-pound, dollar-for-dollar, Estephan's roster construction is as good as any in the sport.

One of the reasons why that's possible is because of the Quebec boxing audience's insatiable appetite. The collection of fans who fill every seat in the Montreal Casino on a near-monthly basis are as hardcore as any group anywhere in the world—the nerdiest of boxing message boards in the flesh, concerned and educated equally about the four-round local rivalry as it is with the obscure international prospects.

It's an audience that has embraced the Cuban Iglesias as it has with past Montreal imports like Lucian Bute, and one very familiar with Silyagin from his time sparring Artur Beterbiev extensively in the city.

There is no more appreciative audience that Iglesias and Silyagin could have fought in front of, as at least one of them will leave the Casino having convinced a larger audience to hop on the bandwagon. Regardless of the winner, there will be a small but passionate group happy to finally get to say "I told you so."