Title: William Scull Determined to Seize World Title Opportunity Amid Canelo Alvarez’s Decision
While some may dismiss William Scull as an unrecognized contender undeserving of a world title shot, the fighter who has prompted Canelo Alvarez to consider relinquishing his undisputed super-middleweight championship is proud of his rise through dedication to the sport.
In an interview with Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, and the team at ProBox TV’s Espanol, Scull, 31, spoke about his position as the IBF mandatory challenger to boxing superstar Alvarez and the likelihood of Alvarez vacating the belt.
“I feel very good, very happy. All my life, I have done this for one great chance to fight for a world title,” said Scull (22-0, 9 KOs). He is poised for an IBF title bout against No. 2 contender Vladimir Shishkin of Russia once Alvarez officially informs the IBF of his decision to bypass the fight and avoid the purse-bid process by next week.
Scull, who logged 364 amateur fights in Cuba before moving on to promotions in Argentina and Germany, has steadily climbed the IBF rankings. His notable win on the May 4 pre-pay-per-view undercard of Alvarez’s unanimous-decision victory over Jaime Munguia in Las Vegas marked a significant milestone in his career.
When asked if he was disappointed that Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) might opt for other contenders such as WBA mandatory challenger Edgar Berlanga, unbeaten four-division champion Terence Crawford, or WBC mandatory David Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs), Scull maintained a positive perspective.
“In Cuba, I fought for the flag, for nothing,” Scull explained. “They gave me a piece of bread, a glass of water. Now, this position gives me more motivation because I have things more in my favor to make history and become one of the first Cubans of this generation to be crowned a world champion.”
Dmitriy Salita, Shishkin’s promoter, indicated that he aims for the Scull-Shishkin bout to take place by September. Scull remains undeterred by Alvarez’s decisions, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity ahead.
“The truth is that it motivates me a lot – Canelo or not,” Scull said of the potential world-title fight. “We know what the issue is with Canelo, but, oh well, I’m still very motivated. It makes me very happy to be able to discuss a world title. That has been my dream, and now I feel one step away. I grew up with the hunger to be someone, to be a champion, to make history.”
Scull’s rise will mark the end of Alvarez’s historic run of four victories as the first undisputed 168-pound champion of the four-belt era. The IBF, known for its strict enforcement of mandatory title defenses, has solidified its reputation for avoiding perceptions of preferential treatment that could lead to litigation.
Shishkin (16-0, 10 KOs), trained at the legendary Kronk Gym, considers Scull “easy work,” but Scull remains respectful of his opponent’s skills. “From the little I’ve seen, he is a great boxer who also earned his position. You cannot underestimate your rival. It’s going to be a war between Russia and Cuba,” Scull said.
Having perfected his counter-attacking style, Scull relies on his reach and ring IQ, advancing step by step in his professional career. He also expressed a hopeful message to Alvarez: “I would like to make the fight. Maybe it could happen a few years later. Many successes for your life, your career, and your family.”
As Scull prepares for what could be the defining moment of his career, his journey from humble beginnings to the brink of a world title stands as a testament to his dedication and resilience in the sport of boxing.
