Canelo Alvarez's status as the undisputed super-middleweight champion is nearing its end, as he is set to relinquish his IBF title.
The decision comes as Alvarez opts not to participate in a June 6 purse bid for a fight against IBF mandatory challenger William Scull of Cuba. According to many sources, Alvarez's team is unwilling to engage in the ordered bout, leading to the forfeiture of the IBF belt.
Alvarez has held the undisputed title since November 2021, when he defeated Caleb Plant to unify the super-middleweight division. Despite successfully defending his titles multiple times, including a recent unanimous-decision win over Jaime Munguia, Alvarez is now stepping down from the IBF title defense. The IBF's firm stance on enforcing mandatory defenses has forced Alvarez into this position, with the sanctioning body insisting that he faces Scull next.
With Alvarez vacating the IBF title, Scull will likely face Russia's Vladimir Shishkin for the vacant belt. Shishkin's promoter, Dmitriy Salita, has indicated a preference for the bout to be streamed on DAZN, potentially on the same card as a possible Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga fight on September 14. However, Scull's promoter is pushing for the fight to take place in Germany, where Scull has previously fought.
The negotiations for the Scull-Shishkin fight are expected to begin in June, with a likely fight date in August or September. Salita emphasized the need for fair and neutral judges, expressing confidence in Shishkin's ability to secure victory and potentially enter the “Canelo sweepstakes” for future high-profile bouts.
Image Credit: Sky Sports