Scull Says He’s Paid Sufficient Dues to Claim Canelo’s IBF Belt

While others may cast William Scull as a no-name undeserving of a world title opportunity, the man who’s moved Canelo Alvarez toward relinquishing his status as undisputed super-middleweight champion says he’s proud of how he’s risen by dedicating his life to the sport.

In an interview this week with Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and the cast of ProBox TV’s Espanol, Scull, 31, discussed his position as the IBF mandatory challenger to boxing’s most popular fighter, Alvarez, and Canelo’s likely response to vacate 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), who appears bound for an IBF title bout against No. 2 contender Vladimir Shishkin of Russia once Alvarez officially informs the IBF of his disinterest to participate in a purse-bid process for a Scull fight by next week.

Scull said he logged 364 amateur fights in Cuba before aligning with promotions in Argentina and then Germany, ultimately rising through the IBF ratings and winning a bout on the May 4 pre-pay-per-view undercard of Alvarez’s unanimous-decision victory over Jaime Munguia in Las Vegas.

Asked if he was disappointed that Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) is bypassing in favor of possible options including WBA mandatory challenger Edgar Berlanga, unbeaten possible four-division champion Terence Crawford or WBC mandatory David Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs), Scull said no and provided perspective.

“In Cuba, I fought for the flag, for nothing,” he said. “They gave me a piece of bread, a glass of water.

“Now, (this position) gives me more motivation because now 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.”

Shishkin promoter Dmitriy Salita told BoxingScene on Tuesday that he’s aiming for the Scull-Shishkin bout to occur by September.

“The truth is that it motivates me a lot – Canelo or not,” Scull said of a world-title fight. “We know what the issue is with Canelo, but, oh well, I’m still motivated very well. 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 position will close the book on Alvarez’s historic run of four victories as an undisputed champion, the first undisputed 168-pounder of the four-belt era.

The IBF has affirmed its reputation as the most stringent sanctioning body when it comes to enforcing mandatory title defenses. A 2000 bribery trial nearly broke the IBF and it has since worked aggressively to enforce its rules and avoid perceptions of preferential treatment of champions that might trigger further litigation.

While the also-anonymous, Kronk Gym-trained Shishkin (16-0, 10 KOs) told BoxingScene he views Scull as “easy work,” Scull said, “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 he has worked to perfect his “counter-attacking” style as a professional, relying on his reach and ring IQ.

“Everything has been step by step,” he said.

Asked if he had a message for Alvarez, Scull said, “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.”

Scull said he hopes “there should be some moment to possibly speak with a great champion and keep going hard as (Alvarez). He’s doing very well.”