In a rather uneventful bout that took place last night in Brandenburg, Germany, William Scull secured the vacant IBF super middleweight belt after defeating Vladimir Shishkin by a close unanimous decision. While Scull’s victory is a significant milestone in his career, with scores of 116-113, 116-112, and 115-113 in favor of the undefeated fighter, it raises questions about his future in the ring. The entire match, stretching over 12 rounds, left much to be desired, as it failed to deliver the excitement expected from a title contest. The only real excitement came in the final round when Shishkin caught Scull with a powerful left hand, momentarily shaking up the new champion.
Despite now boasting an unblemished record of 23 wins with 9 knockouts, Scull’s performance may not have been impressive enough to warrant a matchup against boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez. Many see Alvarez as the reigning king of the super middleweight division and a fight between the two would certainly elevate Scull’s profile. However, Scull’s lack of proactive engagement and the overall dullness of the contest seem to have jeopardized this opportunity. Instead of positioning himself as a compelling contender, Scull may have effectively missed his audition for a high-profile showdown against one of boxing’s biggest names.
The good news for Scull is the championship belt he now possesses, but the bad news lies in the uncertainty of his reign. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) typically mandates challengers for champions in a relatively short time frame. As a result, Scull will need to prepare for his first title defense sooner rather than later. Whether or not he can deliver a more exciting performance next time around remains to be seen. Fans and critics alike are left pondering how long he will be able to hang onto the IBF strap if he continues in a similar vein.
As for Canelo Alvarez, boxing fans are eagerly waiting to see who he will fight next, with recent buzz surrounding a potential bout against David Benavidez. Unfortunately, industry insiders anticipate that this tantalizing matchup is unlikely to materialize soon. Canelo will make his choice for a fight scheduled on Cinco de Mayo, and it is clear that he is not obligated to face fighters he does not wish to engage with. This dynamic keeps the boxing community in suspense, as many are still not clamoring for a Scull-Canelo showdown. The narrative surrounding Scull’s unexpected victory and the uncertain future of both fighters leaves fans eager for clarification in the ever-evolving super middleweight landscape.