Canelo Alvarez’s reign as the undisputed super-middleweight champion is on the verge of ending, as he plans to vacate his IBF title rather than face the mandatory challenger, William Scull. Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) has decided not to participate in the scheduled June 6 purse bid for a fight against the lesser-known Cuban contender, Scull (22-0, 9 KOs).
Alvarez, 33, has held the undisputed 168-pound championship since November 2021, when he defeated then-IBF champion Caleb Plant. He has successfully defended his title four times, most recently against Jaime Munguia on May 4 in Las Vegas.
The four sanctioning bodies in boxing rotate the presentation of mandatory challengers to the undisputed champion. The IBF, led by President Daryl Peoples, insists that Alvarez now confront their mandatory challenger. However, Alvarez’s camp, led by manager and trainer Eddy Reynoso, has not commented on the situation.
By opting out of the June 6 purse bid, Alvarez will vacate the IBF title, leaving Scull to seek a fight against the organization’s No. 2 contender, Russia’s Vladimir Shishkin (16-0, 10 KOs). Shishkin’s promoter, Dmitriy Salita, aims to have the bout streamed by DAZN and potentially feature it on the same card as Alvarez’s next fight, possibly against Edgar Berlanga on September 14.
Scull’s promoter prefers the fight to be held in Germany, where Scull has fought multiple times. Negotiations for the Scull-Shishkin fight are expected to take place in June, with the bout likely happening in August or September.
Despite the financial incentives of fighting Alvarez, the IBF remains firm on enforcing mandatory positions, a principle strengthened after a bribery scandal in 2000. An IBF official commented, “It is what it is,” emphasizing their commitment to the rules.
As Alvarez steps away from the IBF title, his focus shifts to potential high-profile fights against more renowned opponents like Edgar Berlanga, Terence Crawford, or David Benavidez. These matchups promise greater visibility and financial rewards, aligning with Alvarez’s status as one of boxing’s biggest stars.
