William Scull has dared Edgar Berlanga to put something behind his words.
The unbeaten IBF super middleweight titlist took exception to Berlanga’s claim that he is “going to f-----g sleep Scull.” The claim was made by the Brooklyn-bred Boricua in a social media post and he now has Scull’s undivided attention.
“Listen to what I have to tell you because this is the only time I will answer you and send a message,” Scull said in a video reply posted by AGON Sports, his promoter. “I am not falling for this. If you want to make a big fight, then someone should contact my promotion, and we will do the fight.
“You are nobody and will never be anybody. You’re puffed up and I’m going to deflate you.”
Fighting words aside, the pairing would make for an interesting matchup especially since neither has an opponent lined up as this goes to publication. Scull (23-0, 9 KOs)—a Cuban export based in Berlin, Germany—is The Ring’s No. 5 super middleweight contender. Berlanga (22-1, 17 KOs) is rated No. 9 at the weight by this publication.
The division’s defending RING and unified WBC, WBA and WBO champion is Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs). Berlanga suffered his lone defeat against the Mexican icon via unanimous decision last Sept. 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Scull never had the chance to fight Alvarez despite his serving as the IBF mandatory challenger. He instead fought for the vacant title, which he won in a twelve-round, unanimous decision over Vladimir Shishkin in their Oct. 19 battle of unbeaten contenders in Falkansee, Germany.
With the win, Scull is now in the voluntary phase of his title reign. He is willing to fill that void with a defense against Berlanga, who is still in need of an opponent for a planned March 8 DAZN headliner in Puerto Rico.
“So make an offer and let’s fight,” Scull demanded. “Puerto Ricans don’t talk as much… Puerto Ricans demonstrate. Don’t talk so much and let’s fight.”
Jake Donovan is part of the U.S. team for The Ring. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.