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RECORD DATE NOT STATED Saul -Canelo- Alvarez MEX vs Jermell Charlo USA – Weigh-in ceremony Saul -Canelo- Alvarez MEX during the weigh-in ceremony prior to the Boxing fight against Jermell Charlo USA, at the T-Mobile Arena Explanade on September 29, 2023. brbr Saul -Canelo- Alvarez MEX durante la ceremonia de pesaje previo a la pelea de Box contra Jermell Charlo USA, en la Explanada del Arena T-Mobile el 29 de septiembre de 2023. LAS VEGAS NEVADA ESTADOS UNIDOS PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxMEXxCHNxRUS Copyright: xDavidxLeahx 20230929183529_BOX_2023_ALV_CHA_WEIGH_ALVAREZ44.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1034927259h.jpg)
via Imago
RECORD DATE NOT STATED Saul -Canelo- Alvarez MEX vs Jermell Charlo USA – Weigh-in ceremony Saul -Canelo- Alvarez MEX during the weigh-in ceremony prior to the Boxing fight against Jermell Charlo USA, at the T-Mobile Arena Explanade on September 29, 2023. brbr Saul -Canelo- Alvarez MEX durante la ceremonia de pesaje previo a la pelea de Box contra Jermell Charlo USA, en la Explanada del Arena T-Mobile el 29 de septiembre de 2023. LAS VEGAS NEVADA ESTADOS UNIDOS PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxMEXxCHNxRUS Copyright: xDavidxLeahx 20230929183529_BOX_2023_ALV_CHA_WEIGH_ALVAREZ44.
It seems men’s boxing, very soon, will have only one undisputed champion. The IBF doesn’t want to play games. Consistent with their decision last year to strip then-undisputed champion Terence Crawford of his title when he couldn’t proceed with the Jaron Ennis mandatory fight, the sanctioning body, many reports suggest, is planning to take a similar measure against none other than the face of boxing, Canelo Alvarez. The super middleweight king will face Edgar Berlanga instead of defending his IBF belt against the mandatory William Scull. Hence, the IBF, per available accounts, is considering stripping him of their championship.
So the upcoming September 14 Mexican Independence Day feature in Las Vegas may take for Canelo Alvarez’s remaining three belts, the WBC, WBA, and WBO. Berlanga, if he manages to stage the unheard-of-upset, would become a unified champion and not an undisputed one. Ever since he became the four-belt champion in 2021, Canelo Alvarez has defended his title successfully against four challengers. However, for the fifth one, it seems, the goal post has been shifted.
Canelo Alvarez: The undisputed Journey Coming to an End?
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Michael Benson‘s tweet read, “Canelo Alvarez has seemingly been stripped of/vacated his IBF super-middleweight world title as he is not fighting IBF mandatory William Scull next.” Per an official press release, the post mentioned the Alvarez-Berlanga fight would happen for WBO, WBA, and WBC super middleweight titles only.
Polls of the day
Poll 1 of 5
Is Canelo Alvarez still the undisputed super middleweight champion after refusing to fight the IBF mandatory next?
Yes, he's still the best
No, he should be stripped
It's complicated, but he remains on top
He needs to prove himself again
Who should Claressa Shields fight next to prove she's the true GWOAT?
Amanda Serrano
Katie Taylor
Alycia Baumgardner
Someone else
Whats your Perspective on:
Is Canelo Alvarez still the undisputed super middleweight champion after refusing the IBF mandatory fight?
Have an interesting take?
What do you think was the most impactful event in Morelle McCane's life?
Her brother's tragic death
Her rise in boxing
Family support
Overcoming personal struggles
What aspect of Jennifer Lozano's childhood struggle do you find most inspiring?
Overcoming bullying
Losing friends to cartels
Pursuing Olympic dreams despite hardships
Her resilience and determination
Canelo Alvarez has seemingly been stripped of/vacated his IBF super-middleweight world title as he is not fighting IBF mandatory William Scull next. Official press release states Canelo vs Edgar Berlanga on Sept 14th only for WBA, WBC & WBO.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) July 25, 2024
Citing sources, ESPN‘s Mike Coppinger also shared a similar report. Cuba-born Berlin resident William Scull is IBF’s number one ranking contender. The 32-year-old unbeaten fighter incidentally came off a decision win over the American Sean Hemphill at Canelo Alvarez’s Cinco de Mayo headline card.
According to the report shared by Coppinger, the IBF reportedly intends to schedule a fight for the now vacant 168-pound title between Scull and their second-ranked, unbeaten Russian Vladimir Shishkin. This year, Canelo Alvarez will be the second undisputed champion to lose the undisputed status.
What’s your perspective on:
Is Canelo Alvarez still the undisputed super middleweight champion after refusing the IBF mandatory fight?
Have an interesting take?
Just a month after he became the heavyweight division’s first undisputed champion in 25 years, Oleksandr Usyk decided to vacate his IBF title. Thus becoming a unified champion once again. In his place, Daniel Dubois became a full champion following his elevation from the interim status. He will no longer have to defend it from Anthony Joshua on September 21 in front of a Wembley crowd.
One That Ended Previously
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Last year, on July 29, boxing crowned Terence Crawford the first two-division undisputed champion among men. But his happiness proved short-lived. A few months later, IBF had required him to defend his IBF title from the mandatory challenger and then interim title holder, Jaron Ennis. The fight negotiations were to be wrapped up by September 24.
Terence Crawford Stripped Of IBF Belt; Jaron Ennis Elevated To Full Titlist https://t.co/kM0GGuh0Z5 pic.twitter.com/TlDHe3BwTn
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) November 9, 2023
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But, unfortunately, the rematch clause bound the welterweight champion. It was a part of the fight agreement with Errol Spence Jr. In early September, ‘Big Fish’ invoked the clause. However, the IBF seemingly does not follow the convention; other sanctioning bodies follow. It reportedly does not accept a rematch clause as a valid reason to delay or avoid a mandatory title defense. Given the constraints he faced, Terence Crawford couldn’t proceed. IBF stripped him of the IBF title, and Jaron Ennis gained his first world championship.
What’s your take on IBF’s suggested step? Will it have any impact on Canelo Alvarez’s future fights?
Debate
Is Canelo Alvarez still the undisputed super middleweight champion after refusing the IBF mandatory fight?