Canelo Alvarez loses undisputed status after IBF strips him of title for failing to fight mandatory challenger

Alvarez chose to take on Edgar Berlanga next instead of the IBF's mandatory challenger William Scull

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is no longer undisputed super middleweight champion. Alvarez was stripped of his IBF title after failing to defend his belt against a long-overdue mandatory title defense, the sanctioning body announced on Friday.

Alvarez was ordered on May 13 to defend his title against IBF mandatory challenger William Scull, an order that came less than two weeks after he defended his four world championships against Jaime Munguia. Scull was not an appealing opponent financially, being a relative unknown outside of hardcore boxing circles.

A purse bid was ordered for the fight on May 27, stipulating the bid would take place on June 6. Both Scull and Alvarez's teams contacted the IBF before the scheduled bid date, requesting a postponement before later notifying the sanctioning body that the two sides had reached an agreement.