During the face-off, Saudi Boxing Chief Turki Alalshikh stood between the fighters, holding the undisputed and Ring Magazine belts. The WBC belt, however, was nowhere to be seen. Some reports suggest Canelo might have asked for its exclusion, though a language barrier could have caused confusion.
Alalshikh has been making waves in boxing lately. He's been using his influence and financial backing to make big fights happen and is even creating a new boxing league that aims to have a single champion per division. His growing influence in the sport includes a partnership with TKO Holding, the parent company of UFC and WWE.
Juan Manuel Marquez, a former WBC super featherweight champion, shared his thoughts on the situation:
"Canelo is an undisputed champion; he needs to defend all four titles. The Ring Magazine belt is not good for the fight. Canelo needs to defend the four titles."
Marquez's comments highlight the ongoing debate about the significance of various titles in boxing. WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán has previously expressed frustration over the growing emphasis on the Ring Magazine title, calling it a business-driven move that undermines the sport's credibility.
Trainer Robert Garcia offered a balanced perspective on the situation:
"Turki is changing a lot of fighters' lives and putting on the biggest fights, but the WBC also has a point. It's hard to take sides, but I support both."
Garcia's comment reflects the complex dynamics at play, as many in the boxing world feel caught between loyalty to traditional sanctioning bodies and gratitude toward Alalshikh's efforts to reshape the sport.
The controversy has reignited discussions about the role of sanctioning bodies in boxing. With multiple organizations diluting the meaning of true championship status, the traditional four-belt era might be at a crossroads.
Canelo and Scull will fight for all four major belts on May 3, despite Canelo being stripped of the IBF title last year. If Canelo wins, he might face Terence Crawford in September, potentially putting his undisputed status on the line.
As the boxing landscape continues to evolve, the future of how champions are recognized remains uncertain. The battle between traditional sanctioning bodies and Alalshikh's vision for the sport will likely shape boxing's championship structure in the coming years.