AGON Sports, William Scull’s promoter, have announced that they’ve agreed to a fight against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez next.
The 32-year-old Scull (22-0, 9 KOs) is Canelo’s mandatory for his IBF 168-lb title, having earned that spot by beating a fighter named Sean Hemphill.
Scull’s promoter revealed that the IBF purse bid has now been canceled, an agreement has been reached with TGB, and Canelo’s team will announce the fight.
The decision by Canelo (61-2-2, 39 KOs) to defend against his little-known IBF mandatory Scull means he’ll continue to be the undisputed champion at super middleweight.
Now, we’ll see if the WBC will put Canelo’s feet to the fire to force him to defend against his mandatory David Benavidez in his next fight after he satisfied his IBF-ordered defense against Scull.
Scull’s Questionable Resume
The unbeaten Scull (22-0, 9 KOs) has a weak resume, filled from top to bottom by no-name opposition, making fans wonder why the International Boxing Federation picked his name out of the hat to install as Canelo’s mandatory.
There would be fewer complaints from fans if Scull had at least one notable name on his resume to earn the IBF mandatory sport, even someone like Edgar Berlanga, but he’s fought obscure fighters.
The Germany-based Scull’s last four wins: Sean Hemphill, Cristian Fabian Rios, Abel Nicolas Adriel, and Evgeny Shevchenko. Those are all second-tier fighters [read-non-top 15-ranked opposition].
It’s quite bizarre and obviously not good for the Mexican superstar because it’s a fight that will be difficult to sell on PPV.
David Benavidez’s Title Hopes Dashed
This news won’t make David Benavidez happy. Last Saturday night, he talked of returning to the 168-lb division with hopes of challenging Canelo for his four super middleweight titles. Now, that dream is up in smoke, and he will have to stay at 175 or return to 168 to continue waiting.
Staying at 175, a division Benavidez is under-equipped for power and skill-wise, is a road to nowhere. His only chance of success is to return to 168 and continue waiting and hoping for Canelo Alvarez to give him the fight he’s been pushing for.
On the bright side, Benavidez can continue to carve out a good living while waiting for Canelo to fight him at 168, as his size advantage over his opposition in that weight class virtually guarantees success.
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