Canelo Alvarez Opts to Face William Scull In Next 2024 Bout
Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) has decided on his next fight. The Mexican superstar will face IBF mandatory challenger William “El Indomable” Scull (22-0, 9 KOs). The matchup will likely occur in September 2024. Many in the boxing community will view this fight as a disappointment for the defending champion.
The IBF had scheduled a purse bid between the two fighters. But with the announcement that the camps of the champion and challenger have essentially reached a deal, a purse bid is null and void. It has been reported that Scull’s promoter AGON Sports indicated that their agreement could be for a step aside deal.
LEFT FEELING UNSATISFIED
Scull earned the mandatory slot with a win over Evgeny Shvedenko in July 2022. But Scull is a fighter who is largely unknown, even among the hardcore sect. But an overall look at the fight record of Scull reveals a weak resume.
In Alvarez’s most recent outing, he pounded out a unanimous decision win over Jaime Munguia on May 4. Upon the news of the undisputed champion’s decision to now face Scull, fans on social media and boxing message boards have reacted with disdain. Can you blame them? It’s a fight that will not get folks excited.
In fairness, Scull has been patiently waiting to get his title shot. But most in the boxing community want to see Saul Alvarez fight two-time 168-pound champion David Benavidez, who is coming off a decision victory over Oleksandr Gvozdyck on June 15. It seems that the only way Alvarez is entertaining a fight with Benavidez is if he’s paid an absurd amount of money.
WHAT’S THE BIGGER PRIORITY?
Alvarez versus Scull is a product of sanctioning body obligations. It’s also about Canelo wanting to preserve his status as the undisputed super middleweight champion.
At this stage of his career, it’s clear that Canelo ignores the masses. He fights who he wants, when he wants. What’s frustrating is that he seems to care more about keeping the belts than fighting the top competition in his division, and that is Benavidez, not Scull.
