The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has granted super middleweight champion William Scull (23-0, 9 KOs) permission to take an interim title defense before he faces mandatory challenger Vladimir Shishkin (16-1, 10 KOs). This decision follows the controversial outcome of their October 19th bout in Stadthalle, Falkensee, Germany.
In their initial clash, Shishkin appeared to outwork and outpunch Scull over 12 rounds, with many spectators believing he had secured the victory. However, the judges awarded the decision to Scull, sparking widespread criticism and calls for a rematch. Shishkin’s team quickly appealed to the IBF, which has now mandated that the winner of Scull’s interim defense must face Shishkin to resolve the dispute.
The 32-year-old Scull, a Cuban fighter, remains undefeated but has struggled to generate significant fan interest in potential matchups against division stars like Canelo Alvarez or other prominent 168-pound contenders. The controversy surrounding his fight with Shishkin has further complicated his rise in the division.
The rematch between Scull and Shishkin is expected to draw attention as both fighters look to settle the score and assert dominance in the super middleweight ranks. Fans and analysts alike are hoping the second encounter delivers a definitive result, free from the controversy that marred their first meeting.
The details of Scull’s interim defense and the timeline for his rematch with Shishkin remain under discussion.
