Canelo Alvarez has been mandated by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) to defend his super middleweight titles against Cuban boxer William Scull. The official announcement was made recently, enforcing a defense that puts Alvarez against the top-ranked IBF contender, Scull. The decision compels Alvarez to change his usual pattern of selecting opponents as the match must be scheduled within 28 days or go to a bidding process.
Until now, Canelo had faced Jaime Munguia and there were speculations about him fighting David Benavidez or Terence Crawford next. However, the IBF's recent mandate disrupts these plans. Noteworthy is that Scull ranks as the number one contender in the IBF listings. As a former Cuban youth champion who has competed professionally in Argentina and Germany, Scull's pedigree is commendable.
From boxing insider Michael Benson’s X account, the IBF order specifies that Alvarez needs to agree to a fight against Scull within 28 days or face potential bids from other promoters. This strict timeline necessitates swift action from both camps to arrange this title defense. Non-compliance could lead to Canelo being stripped of his titles, a scenario reminiscent of when he lost his IBF title in 2019 for not arranging a fight with Sergiy Derevyanchenko.
The IBF have now officially ordered Canelo Alvarez to defend his undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO super-middleweight world titles vs William Scull next. Parties have 28 days to agree deal, then purse bids.
Watch this story: Undisputed Champion Teases Blockbuster Bout With Crawford: "The Contract Is Ready"— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 14, 2024
Scull recently appeared on the undercard of the May 4th event featuring Canelo versus Munguia. He secured a victory over Sean Hemphill by unanimous decision, recording a notable knockdown in the fifth round and marking an impressive first appearance in Las Vegas. His undefeated record stands at 22-0, with nine victories coming by knockout.
