The fight comes eight months after Scull’s unification loss to Saul Canelo Alvarez in Riyadh. On paper, it was a routine unanimous decision loss. In practice, it became one of the most criticized major events of 2025. Scull’s cautious, movement-heavy approach produced low engagement, low output and harsh backlash.
The scorecards widened as the fight wore on, and the reaction afterward was largely critical. The loss also affected Scull beyond the title itself. The fight reshaped how he was perceived.
Once an undefeated technician who followed up his path to a vacant IBF title with a measured victory over Vladimir Shishkin in Germany, he is now framed by many as a fighter who failed at a moment when ambition finally met exposure. His claim after the fight that he deserved the decision only widened the rift.
The return opponent is no accident. Bank enters undefeated and fresh off a knockout of former titleholder Tyron Zeuge. He is ranked by the WBO and WBC, active and fighting at home. The setting removes any ambiguity about intent. This is not a soft reset. It is a test designed to enforce clarity.
What remains unresolved is how Scull chooses to fight. The defensive style that once carried him to the top of the IBF ladder is now carrying baggage. Another low-output performance risks confirming the harshest narratives. A more assertive performance carries risk of its own, especially against a younger opponent with momentum.
Scull said the loss made him stronger and more focused. January will show whether that focus translates into adaptation or simply persistence. At this stage, the fight is less about titles than about direction. The result will not restore what was lost in Riyadh. This will determine what else is available.
