In a bout that left fans yearning for excitement, Canelo Alvarez faced William Scull on May 4, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reclaiming his status as the undisputed super middleweight champion. The fight, held in the early hours of the morning local time, ended with Alvarez winning by unanimous decision, with judges scoring it 115-113, 116-112, and 119-109 in favor of the Mexican superstar.
Despite the victory, the match was characterized by a conspicuous lack of action. Scull, who entered the ring undefeated with a record of 23-0, employed a strategy that involved a lot of movement and evasive tactics, which frustrated Alvarez and the audience alike. The Cuban fighter spent the majority of the fight smiling and dancing around the ring, aiming to avoid engagement rather than seeking to land significant blows. Alvarez, on the other hand, seemed to struggle with Scull's style, landing fewer punches overall but connecting with more impactful shots.
“I hate that kind of fighter,” Alvarez remarked after the bout, expressing his frustration with Scull's evasive tactics. “It’s OK, we win.” This sentiment resonated with many fans who had hoped for a more thrilling contest. Alvarez's performance marked a departure from his usual aggressive style, as he waited for Scull to come within range to deliver body shots, rather than pursuing him.
The fight generated a record low number of punches thrown in a 12-round match, with both fighters combining to throw only 445 punches, according to CompuBox statistics. Alvarez threw 152 punches, landing 56, while Scull attempted 293 punches but managed to land just 55. This stark contrast illustrated the lack of engagement and action throughout the match.
Following the fight, Alvarez was awarded the coveted Ring Magazine belt, signifying his status as the undisputed champion, and he was quick to turn his focus to his next challenge. In a dramatic moment immediately after the match, Terence Crawford, who was present in the audience, entered the ring to face off with Alvarez. This encounter set the stage for their highly anticipated fight scheduled for September 12, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Crawford, an undefeated champion with a record of 41-0 and 31 knockouts, expressed his eagerness to step up to the super middleweight division to challenge Alvarez. “I’m feeling great. I’m feeling blessed. Things happen for a reason, and there’s a reason why I’m here,” Crawford stated, hinting at the significance of their upcoming matchup.
Alvarez’s victory over Scull not only solidified his position as the undisputed champion but also marked his sixth consecutive win, improving his overall record to 63-2-2, with 39 of those wins coming by knockout. However, it is notable that Alvarez has not scored a knockout since 2021, raising questions about his power and effectiveness in the ring as he ages.
In the co-main event, Badou Jack successfully defended his WBC cruiserweight title against Noel Mikaelian in a closely contested bout that ended in a split decision. Jack won two scorecards by 115-113, while one judge scored it a 114-114 draw. The fight showcased Jack's experience, as he landed crucial punches despite throwing fewer total punches than Mikaelian.
Another highlight of the evening was Jaime Munguia's rematch against Bruno Surace. Munguia, who had previously suffered a shocking knockout loss to Surace in their first encounter, came back strong to win by unanimous decision. He displayed a more strategic approach under the guidance of his new coach, Eddy Reynoso, focusing on defense before unleashing a flurry of punches in the later rounds. “The most important thing was working on the mental part of it, more than anything,” Munguia said, reflecting on his growth as a fighter.
In a heavyweight clash, Efe Ajagba and Martin Bakole fought to a majority draw, with Ajagba winning on one scorecard while the other two judges ruled it a draw. The match was marked by a strong display from both fighters, with Bakole showing resilience despite appearing fatigued midway through the fight.
As the boxing world looks ahead to the Alvarez-Crawford showdown, fans are left with mixed feelings about the quality of the Alvarez-Scull fight. Many are hopeful that the upcoming match will deliver the excitement and intensity that was notably absent in Riyadh. Alvarez's victory, while significant in terms of titles, may not have provided the spectacle that fans expect from two of boxing's elite fighters.
In summary, while Canelo Alvarez successfully reclaimed his undisputed super middleweight championship against William Scull, the fight left much to be desired in terms of entertainment. With the highly anticipated matchup against Terence Crawford on the horizon, boxing enthusiasts are eager to see if Alvarez can recapture his knockout power and deliver a thrilling performance in September.
