This is the reason why the FIB took away Canelo’s title: “I do whatever I want”
When Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez was the undisputed champion at 168 pounds, the IBF stripped him of his title for not complying with a mandatory fight.
Canelo Álvarez once held all four major belts at super middleweight—WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF. However, he lost the IBF title after the organization ordered him to fight Cuban contender William Scull, and Canelo chose not to take the fight when it was mandated.
READ ALSO: Canelo Álvarez vs William Scull: Fight card, Time and order of undercard events in Saudi Arabia
As a result, the International Boxing Federation declared the title vacant, later organizing a fight that Scull won, making him the new IBF Super Middleweight Champion. The decision to strip Canelo of the belt sparked the Mexican fighter’s anger.
Shortly after losing the title, Canelo gave an interview on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game Podcast, where he expressed a defiant attitude, essentially saying that he could do whatever he wanted because he was the champion.
“I do what I want. The IBF says, ‘Hey, you have to fight him,’ but who is (William) Scull? I’ve never heard of him. When they (the Federation) say, ‘this is your mandatory,’ I’ve never heard anything about him. I’ll do whatever I want,” said the fighter from Jalisco, Mexico.
READ ALSO: When was the last time Canelo Álvarez won by knockout? This was his last KO victory vs Caleb Plant
Scull: the inevitable opponent
Despite having refused to fight William Scull back then, Canelo will now face him in Saudi Arabia for his first bout in the Kingdom—thanks to Turki Alalshikh, who made the fight happen. This time, all four belts will be on the line.
Scull will defend the IBF title, while Canelo puts his WBA, WBO, and WBC belts on the line. The winner takes it all and will be crowned the undisputed 168-pound champion—giving Canelo a shot at reclaiming the title he lost for breaking the rules.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment