Canelo Alvarez Defeats William Scull: Fight Results and Highlights from Title Bout.

At the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 3, 2025, Saul "Canelo" lvarez defeated William Scull by unanimous decision to reaffirm his dominance in the super middleweight division. The bout, which headlined a stacked title fight card as part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing Riyadh Season boxing initiative, marked a successful return to undisputed champion status for Álvarez, who reclaimed the IBF title in the process.

The main event was widely criticized by fans and critics alike for its lack of action and drama, despite the high stakes and international setting. Still, the Mexican superstar did what needed to be done, earning scores of 115-113, 116-112, and 119-109 on the judges' cards to win the fight and win the WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, and IBF super middleweight belts. A Tactical Victory

The 33-year-old Álvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) approached the fight with his trademark poise and pressure, focusing heavily on body work to wear down the elusive and highly defensive Scull (23-1, 9 KOs). Canelo's experience was on full display as he closed the distance, cut off the ring, and landed key punches when opportunities presented themselves, despite the fact that the fight did not produce any fireworks. According to CompuBox statistics, Álvarez threw just 152 punches over 12 rounds but landed 56 — edging out Scull, who threw nearly twice as many (293) but only landed 55. Most notably, Varez's forty body shots demonstrate his dedication to methodically taking out Scull. "I came to win and unite," I said. I did what I had to do,” Álvarez said in his post-fight interview. “It wasn’t the most exciting fight because he didn’t want to fight. He just wanted to survive.”

A Threat to the Defense For the Cuban-born William Scull, this was the biggest moment of his career. Undefeated heading into the night, he had never before fought on a stage of this magnitude. While he avoided serious damage thanks to his footwork and defense, Scull failed to produce any meaningful offense and drew criticism for his unwillingness to engage.

Scull's game plan made it clear that he wanted to avoid trouble and counter whenever he could, but his lack of aggression made it easy for lvarez to win. Even though the fight went all twelve rounds, it broke a bad record: CompuBox's record for the fewest combined punches thrown in a 12-round bout in over four decades, which was 445. Reaction and Criticism

Fans and pundits expressed disappointment with the main event, labeling it “uneventful” and “uninspiring.” Despite the historic nature of the title unification, many believed the bout failed to deliver on the promise of high-stakes action.

Boxing analysts were quick to acknowledge Álvarez’s control and precision, but the consensus was that the fight lacked excitement due to Scull’s unwillingness to take risks.

One commentator stated, "I don't blame Canelo." “He fought smart and didn’t take unnecessary chances. Scull just didn’t show up to win — he showed up not to lose.”

Nonetheless, Álvarez’s legacy remains secure. With the win, he not only recaptured the IBF belt but also reminded the world why he has been the face of boxing for the past decade.

Results on the Undercard With several notable performances, the undercard in Riyadh provided more excitement than the main event. Badou Jack impressed in a dominant showing, securing a unanimous decision victory.

With a late stoppage, Jaime Munguia continued his winning streak and set himself up for a title shot soon. Richard Riakporhe proved to be a rising threat in the cruiserweight division with a highlight-reel knockout victory. Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba fought to a hard-earned draw in a back-and-forth heavyweight clash that many felt stole the show.

What is Canelo's Next Step? Looking ahead, Álvarez’s next challenge may be his toughest yet. On September 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, he will face the former undisputed welterweight champion Terence "Bud" Crawford. The fight will be held at a catchweight, with both camps already in agreement on the general terms.

Crawford, undefeated and widely considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, presents a different stylistic challenge for Canelo. Known for his speed, precision, and ability to switch stances mid-fight, Crawford will look to cement his legacy by moving up in weight to take on the Mexican legend.

Lvarez stated, "I respect Crawford." “He’s a great fighter, but I’m better. We’ll show the world in September.”

Legacy Cemented

Even with a relatively dull outing against Scull, Canelo Álvarez’s accomplishments continue to mount. It wasn't easy for him to become undisputed for the second time in the super middleweight division. With big fights coming up, he will continue to be a major figure in modern boxing. Despite the fact that the fight against William Scull did not make the highlight reel, it was yet another foundational fight in lvarez's already Hall of Fame-worthy career, which is still going strong. ---

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