After the decision of both David Benavidez and David Morrell to move up in weight and campaign in the light-heavyweight division, Canelo Alvarez’s next opponent appeared to be a curious mystery. However, the IBF have now intervened and called upon mandatory challenger William Scull to take on the Mexican pound-for-pound superstar with a deal now agreed.
Canelo Alvarez put in an improved performance to outpoint countryman Jaime Munguia last month but extended his knockout drought to five fights, the most consecutive bouts to have gone the distance during Alvarez’s 65-fight career. During the aftermath, there has been confusion as to who may face Canelo, given his reluctance to fight Benavidez and a lack of alternatives, but Edgar Berlanga appeared to be next in the firing line.
Yet, the IBF shockingly called for purse bids for a showdown between Canelo and the undefeated German-based Cuban, William Scull. Since that decision, Alvarez has been forced to consider vacating his IBF title or to face Scull and change his plans for a September scrap with a more recognised contender.
As a result of Canelo’s difficult choice, purse bids have twice been pushed back but today they were cancelled, as Scull’s promoters ‘AGON Sports’ confirmed that they had ‘reached an agreement’ with TGB Promotions.
“Press Release: IBF Mandatory Fight Scull vs. Canelo: AGON Sports and TGB reach agreement
“Non-existence of details agreed
Promoter Ingo Volckmann: “We are happy that we were able to get some of us.”
Despite that announcement, there is still a sense of uncertainty regarding the affair, with speculation that the ‘deal’ that has been agreed could instead be a step-aside fee that would allow Alvarez to swerve Scull and keep hold of all his belts, possibly facing Scull in 2025.
Although, Scull has been sharing reports that suggest that he will indeed challenge for the undisputed throne and has been vocal of his ambition to not just face Canelo Alvarez but to upset the odds and pull off the upset, as per Boxing Scene.
“I want to show the people that I am his [mandatory] IBF challenger for a reason,”
“I am not just coming for a payday, I am coming for all the belts.”
Meanwhile, Saudi catalyst Turki Al-Alshikh remains hopeful that Terence Crawford could make the unprecedented jump up to super-middleweight and take on Canelo Alvarez before the end of the year – as opposed to or as well as Canelo fighting either Berlanga or Scull in September.
Before any such talks can advance, Terence Crawford will make his super-welterweight debut in a challenge for Israil Madrimov’s WBA world title on August 3rd in the first Al-Alshikh event in the United States. That bout tops a stellar undercard featuring stars such as David Morrell, Jared Anderson, Andy Ruiz and Isaac Cruz, making up one of the strongest bills to ever take place across the pond.
Further information regarding Canelo-Scull is expected to be announced by Canelo himself in the near-future, with fans left questioning whether the AGON Sports statement has misled the boxing community.
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