Canelo Alvarez reclaimed his undisputed super middleweight championship with a unanimous decision victory over William Scull in a highly anticipated bout on Saturday night at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight, however, was far from thrilling, as both fighters combined to set an unwanted CompuBox record for the fewest punches thrown in a 12-round contest, totaling just 445 punches.
The judges scored the fight 115-113, 116-112, and a more lopsided 119-109 in favor of Alvarez, who improved his record to 63 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 knockouts. Scull, now 23-1 with 9 KOs, struggled to find his rhythm throughout the match, landing only a handful of punches per round.
Throughout the fight’s 36-minute duration, Alvarez and Scull averaged around five landed punches per round, a statistic that highlights the lack of action. Scull, in particular, was unable to break into double digits in any round, while Alvarez connected with only 10 punches in the final three minutes.
Despite the low output, Alvarez’s performance was enough to secure the victory and set up a highly anticipated showdown against Terence Crawford, scheduled for September 12, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This next fight promises to be a significant challenge for Alvarez, especially considering the criticisms of his recent performances.
Many observers noted that Alvarez appeared to be slowing down, with some suggesting he looked "old" in the ring. Scull, on the other hand, adopted a defensive strategy, focusing on survival rather than engaging in a fight, which only frustrated Alvarez further. As one commentator noted, "When you cherry-pick opponents like Scull, you can't be surprised when they come to survive rather than fight."
After the fight, Terence Crawford made a surprise appearance in the ring, signaling his readiness for the upcoming bout. The anticipation for this match is palpable, as Crawford is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and presents a significant step up in competition for Alvarez.
The undercard featured several notable fights, including WBC cruiserweight champion Badou Jack, who won a controversial majority decision over Norair Mikaeljan. The scores of 114-114, 115-113, and 115-113 sparked debate among fans, many of whom believed Jack was outperformed throughout the match.
In another highlight, Jaime Munguia avenged his previous loss to Bruno Surace with a unanimous decision victory, scoring 116-112, 117-111, and 117-111. Munguia's performance showcased his ability to adapt and overcome, especially after being pressured early in the fight.
Heavyweight contenders Efe Ajagba and Martin Bakole fought to a 10-round majority draw, with the judges scoring it 96-94 for Ajagba, while two others scored it 95-95. Bakole’s strong finish in the later rounds demonstrated his resilience and ability to turn the tide of the match.
Brayan Leon continued his ascent in the light heavyweight division, defeating Aaron Rocha Guerrero by unanimous decision with a score of 60-54. Leon showcased his power with a knockdown in the fourth round, though Guerrero proved to be a tough opponent, managing to go the distance.
Richard Riakporhe scored a fourth-round technical knockout against Kevin Nicolas Espindola, who was unable to come out for the fifth round after being dropped by a body shot. This victory solidified Riakporhe’s status as a contender in the cruiserweight division.
In a stunning debut, 2024 Olympian Marco Verde knocked out Michel Galvan Polina in the first round, dropping him twice before the fight was stopped at 1:34. Verde’s explosive start in the professional ranks has fans excited about his potential.
Finally, Mohammed Alakel outworked Alexander Morales, winning a six-round points decision with a score of 60-54, showcasing his volume punching and control throughout the fight.
As the dust settles on this boxing event, all eyes will now turn to Alvarez and Crawford’s upcoming clash. Will Alvarez regain his form and prove the critics wrong, or will Crawford capitalize on Alvarez’s recent struggles? The boxing world eagerly awaits the answer.
