Canelo Alvarez is back on top. The Mexican boxing icon added another chapter to his legendary career on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by reclaiming the undisputed super-middleweight championship with a clear points victory over Cuba’s William Scull.
Though it wasn’t the most action-packed fight, Canelo’s ring IQ, body work, and experience proved too much for the undefeated but overly cautious challenger.
Slow Start, One-Sided Finish
The early rounds were quiet, with both fighters taking a measured approach. Scull moved constantly, using his longer frame to stay out of range while switching stances and pawing with his jab. Canelo, in typical fashion, took his time, focused on cutting the ring off, and began investing in body shots by the second round.
Scull’s tactics were clear: avoid getting hit and try to win rounds on the outside. But as the bout wore on, his lack of aggression cost him. While he stayed busy, he rarely threw with intent or power, and Canelo gradually took control without needing to go into high gear.
Canelo Controls the Tempo
By the middle rounds, Canelo had figured out Scull’s rhythm. Even though the Cuban landed a few flashy uppercuts and jabs, he never truly challenged the champion. Canelo’s body attack slowed Scull’s footwork just enough to allow him to trap the Cuban along the ropes in key moments.
The 12th round saw Canelo push the pace more than at any point in the fight, sealing a win that was never seriously in doubt.
The official scorecards read: 119-109, 116-112, and 115-113—all for Canelo, who improved to 63-2-2 with the win.
Stats Highlight Scull’s Missed Opportunity
Despite throwing nearly twice as many punches—293 to Canelo’s 152—Scull failed to make them count. He landed just 55 shots to Canelo’s 56, with the Mexican dominating body shots by a margin of 40-6.
While Scull had the physical tools and remained defensively sound, his lack of commitment to offense made it difficult for him to win rounds decisively.
Canelo vs Crawford Up Next
Following the fight, fans were treated to a surprise face-off in the ring between Canelo and undefeated welterweight great Terence Crawford. The two exchanged words as Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh confirmed that they are in negotiations for a September showdown in Las Vegas.
The proposed fight has already been dubbed a “megafight,” pitting two of boxing’s best pound-for-pound talents against each other for legacy-defining stakes.
What’s Next for Scull?
As for William Scull, this was his first taste of the big stage. He showed toughness and movement but lacked the killer instinct to take the belts from a champion. With adjustments and experience, he may still be a threat in the division, but Saturday night proved he’s not quite ready for the elite level just yet.
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