Why was Canelo Álvarez stripped of the IBF super middleweight title?

Canelo Álvarez very much proved he remains the king of the super middleweights, handing Edgar Berlanga his first ever defeat in professional boxing by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena near Las Vegas.

Although the American was in the fight, frustrated Álvarez at times and even managed to steal a few rounds off him, he was eventually cast aside by his opponent, who dropped him in the third and systematically took him to school for the remainder of the evening. And that on Mexican Independece Day, no less.

Canelo’s victory means he has now won 62 of his 66 professional bouts, 39 of which have been by knockout (there have also been two draws and two defeats). And it also means he has retained the WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, and The Ring super middleweight titles.

Why wasn’t the IBF super middleweight title on the line in Canelo vs Berlanga?

Until recently, Álvarez was also the holder of IBF super middleweight belt, which wasn’t on the line in Saturday’s fight against Berlanga.

The 34-year-old was stripped of the title in July, precisely due to his decision to fight the American rather than William Scull, the IBF’s mandatory challenger for the belt.

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With Scull still relatively unknown outside hardcore boxing circles, it is believed the purse for that potential fight would have been modest. On the other hand, Álvarez could take home in excess of $35 million for facing Berlanga, reports suggest.

Who is the IBF super middleweight champion?

Scull will now take on Vladimir Shishkin for the vacant IBF super middleweight belt in Falkansee, Germany on October 19. Both boxers are undefeated in their professional boxing careers to date.