IBF Orders Purse Bids For Canelo Vs. Scull – ‘Should He Vacate?’
The IBF has ordered purse bids for Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull, which will occur on June 6.
Alvarez was ordered to face his mandatory, leaving him with 28 days to strike an agreement. Canelo has just secured a win over Jaime Munguia, beating him via a unanimous decision. Alvarez has resisted fighting his WBC mandatory, David Benavidez, saying he will only do so for $200 million. The fight with Scull is unlikely to sell, leaving Canelo with a decision to make.
He can either vacate his belt or get stripped. The other alternative is facing Scull, but appease fans by agreeing to a Benavidez fight next. Canelo could also give Scull step-aside money to then fight Benavidez. If the purse bids go ahead, Canelo will get a 65-35 split since he is the champion.
IBF Rules
“The Championships Chairman will notify the Champion and the mandatory challenger approximately sixty (60) days prior to the mandatory due date and the boxers must observe that obligation. The Champion shall negotiate with the leading available contender as designated by the Championships Chairman and the President.
“If they are unable to negotiate the terms of the bout within thirty (30) days, they have the obligation to proceed to a purse bid under the procedure set forth in Rule 9. (a) The Champion and the mandatory Challenger may not box any other contestant within 60 days of the mandatory due date.
“(b) A Champion’s failure to comply with this obligation will be sufficient cause to have the Championships Committee and Board of Directors consider withdrawing recognition of the title. (c) The Challenger’s failure to comply with this rule will result in the Championships Committee recognizing the next leading available contender as the mandatory challenger and moving the challenger to a position below #10 in the rankings for at least six (6) months,” IBF Rule 5c
Canelo’s Future
Canelo’s history has shown that does faces some of his mandatories. He boxed his WBC mandatory Avni Yildirim in 2021. That was done so Alvarez could unify the division against Billy Joe Saunders. Canelo also faced his WBO mandatory John Ryder. Scull may be undefeated with a 22-0 record that includes 9 knockouts. However, he does not have a big-name win. His last fight was a win over Sean Hemphill on the Canelo-Munguia card.
Vacating the IBF may rule out some fights against Benavidez and Terence Crawford. Both are targeting Canelo due to their desire to become undisputed at 168. While a win over Canelo boosts their resume, it may not be enough for both fighters to get in the ring without being undisputed on the line.
Crawford could chase undisputed at 154, while Benavidez can do the same at 175. But with the increasing demand to see Canelo fight Benavidez or Crawford, can Alvarez afford to miss out on a big payday if he does not face his IBF mandatory? That leaves Canelo with plenty to ponder moving forward.
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