In 2021, Canelo Alvarez defeated Caleb Plant via TKO in round 11 to become the new IBF Super Middleweight Champion. Alvarez also retained the WBA, WBC, WBO, and The Ring Super Middleweight Titles.
Today, the International Boxing Federation issued a press release to announce that they have stripped Canelo Alvarez of the IBF Super Middleweight Championship due to his failure to defend the title.
IBF summoned Canelo Alvarez to face their No. 1 contender William Scull. However, Alvarez chose to defend the WBA, WBC, and WBO Super Middleweight Titles against Edgar Berlanga (22-0) on Saturday, September 14th.
The fight between William Scull (22-0) and Ring No. 7-ranked Vladimir Shishkin (16-0) for the vacant IBF Super Middleweight Championship is expected to be announced soon.
“Saul Alvarez’s mandatory defense of the IBF Super Middleweight title is overdue. Therefore, the bout scheduled for September 14, 2024, is not in compliance with the noted rule.
The IBF places the upmost importance on keeping a title occupied. [F]urthermore values and understands the significance of the Undisputed Champion status for a fighter such as Saul Alvarez, the sport and the fans. We understand that Saul Alvarez and his team made a choice to pursue the route they see fit for his career in the bout against Edgar Berlanga.
Nevertheless, the IBF rules are clear and were designed to serve all affected parties in a matter such as this. Based on the foregoing, the IBF was left with no other recourse than to vacate the IBF Super Middleweight.”