Report: Canelo to vacate IBF title, forgo purse bid

Canelo Álvarez's undisputed super middleweight championship reign could soon be over.

Álvarez intends to relinquish his IBF 168-pound title rather than participate in a purse bid for a fight against IBF mandatory challenger William Scull, sources told Boxing Scene's Lance Pugmire on Tuesday.

Álvarez, who has held undisputed status since 2021, will remain the WBC, WBA, and WBO super middleweight champ.

Earlier this month, the IBF ordered Álvarez to make a mandatory defense against Scull, a 22-0 Cuban, and then scheduled a purse bid for June 6 in New Jersey.

One option for Álvarez's next fight is Edgar Berlanga, the WBA mandatory challenger. Berlanga said earlier this month he expects to fight Álvarez in September.

Álvarez is coming off a unanimous decision win over Jaime Munguia on May 4 in his fourth undisputed title defense.