Canelo Alvarez continues to solidify his status as one of boxing's all-time greats, having defeated William Scull by unanimous decision on May 4, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This victory not only secured Alvarez the IBF super middleweight title but also crowned him the undisputed champion of the 168-pound division. The fight, held at the ANB Arena, was marked by a frustratingly defensive strategy from Scull, who spent much of the bout evading Alvarez rather than engaging in combat.
Despite Alvarez's reputation as an aggressive fighter, he found himself in a peculiar position as Scull danced around the ring, smiling and avoiding direct confrontation. The crowd's frustration was palpable, leading to boos echoing throughout the arena. Alvarez, known for his knockout power, had not scored a stoppage in nearly four years, and this bout did not appear to change that trend.
The judges' scorecards reflected the uneven nature of the fight, with Alvarez winning by scores of 116-112, 115-113, and a more decisive 119-109. Scull, who had entered the ring undefeated with a record of 23-0, attempted to implement a strategy of throwing punches while retreating, but it ultimately proved ineffective against the seasoned champion. Alvarez, who now boasts a record of 62-2-2, patiently awaited opportunities to land his powerful body shots, which were the highlight of his performance.
"I hate that kind of fighter," Alvarez remarked post-fight. "It's OK, we win." His focus now shifts to an anticipated mega-fight against undefeated Terence Crawford, who was present at ringside and quickly made his intentions known following Alvarez's victory. Crawford, boasting a record of 41-0 with 31 knockouts, confirmed that he plans to move up to super middleweight to challenge Alvarez on September 12, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Before Alvarez's bout, Badou Jack successfully retained his WBC cruiserweight title in a closely contested fight against Noel Mikaelian. Jack won via split decision with scores of 115-113, 115-113, and a 114-114 draw. The fight showcased Jack's ability to land effective punches, even though he threw fewer total punches than his opponent. Meanwhile, Jaime Munguia avenged his previous loss to Bruno Surace, winning their rematch by unanimous decision. Munguia's strategy of adopting a more defensive approach under the guidance of his new coach, Eddy Reynoso, paid off, as he improved his record to 45-2.
In another heavyweight clash, Efe Ajagba and Martin Bakole fought to a majority draw, with two judges scoring the bout even and one favoring Ajagba. While the fight had its share of intensity, both fighters expressed mutual respect afterward, even sharing hugs in the ring.
As Alvarez basked in the glory of his victory, he also received the coveted Ring Magazine belt, a symbol of his status in the boxing world. The fight against Scull marked Alvarez's first bout outside of North America, and despite the lackluster performance, he remains a dominant figure in the sport. The boxing community is now buzzing with anticipation for the showdown against Crawford, which promises to be a more thrilling encounter.
Fans are eager to see how Alvarez will fare against Crawford, especially after the subdued performance against Scull. Crawford himself acknowledged Alvarez's challenges in the ring, stating, "Canelo did what he could with the opponent that was in front of him." With both fighters hoping for a more entertaining match, the upcoming bout is set to be one of the most talked-about events in boxing.
As for Scull, despite his disappointing showing, he remains a formidable opponent with a record that still stands at 23-1. His strategy may have drawn criticism, but it also showcased the difficulties of facing a champion like Alvarez. As the boxing world looks forward to the next chapter, all eyes will be on the clash between Alvarez and Crawford this September.
