William Scull is currently focused on securing his first title fight. The unbeaten mandatory challenger has received instructions to commence negotiations with Vladimir Shishkin for the vacant IBF super middleweight championship. The official order was issued on July 29, with a 30-day negotiation period provided. Scull, represented by AGON Sports, is set to face off against Shishkin, who is under contract with Salita Promotions.
The victor of this bout will be bestowed with the prestigious title of IBF super middleweight champion, a position previously held by Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Alvarez, the reigning RING and unified 168-pound champion, is gearing up to defend his titles against WBA mandatory challenger Edgar Berlanga on September 14 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Although it is improbable that Scull (22-0, 9 KOs) and Shishkin (16-0, 10 KOs) will clash by that time, they now have a more defined route to the championship. Scull earned his mandatory challenger status by defeating Evgeny Shvedenko in July 2022. Since then, he has participated in three fights, culminating in a recent triumph over Sean Hemphill in May.
Conversely, Shishkin has been striving for the title for over 18 months. He secured his position as the next highest ranked challenger after prevailing over Jose Uzcategui in a title eliminator in December 2022. With the mandated title showdown, both fighters are obliged to adhere to IBF regulations. Any withdrawal from the process will lead to a demotion in rankings for a minimum of six months.
The journey towards the title for Scull and Shishkin has now become more transparent, and enthusiasts of boxing can look forward to a thrilling contest for the coveted IBF super middleweight championship.
