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Report: IBF orders Alvarez to defend new belt by Aug. 4

Tom Hogan/Golden Boy / Golden Boy Promotions / Getty

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has ordered Canelo Alvarez to defend his new middleweight title against Sergiy Derevyanchenko by Aug. 4, according to ESPN's Dan Rafael. However, Rafael notes that Alvarez won't fight on or before that date due to scheduling conflicts and may be able to get an extension from the IBF.

Alvarez defeated Daniel Jacobs to claim the belt less than two weeks ago on May 4. The Mexican national wasn't expected to fight again until Sept. 14, the weekend of Mexican Independence Day.

"It's really surprising and unfortunate that we didn't get a congratulations letter (from the IBF) like we would in the past," Eric Gomez - the president of Golden Boy Promotions, Alvarez's promoter - told Rafael. "We will be meeting with Canelo in the next week or so to see what he would like to do."

Alvarez would also like to wait for Gennady Golovkin's June 8 fight before committing to another bout, according to Rafael. Alvarez and Golovkin have fought twice before, and a third matchup of the two stalwarts would generate massive revenues.

The IBF told Alvarez and Derevyanchenko to conclude fight negotiations by June 15.

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