Saul 'Canelo' Álvarez faces a unique challenge in his upcoming bout against William Scull. The Mexican superstar will step into the ring at 6:00 AM local time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, pushing both fighters to adapt to an unusual schedule and environment.
Canelo, hailing from Guadalajara and now based in Las Vegas, will need to adjust not only his body clock but also to the heavy air and different lifestyle in Saudi Arabia. Mauricio Sulaiman, President of the World Boxing Council, emphasized the importance of proper acclimation for the fighters.
"You have to be well acclimated, well accustomed. You can't cheat the body clock. I hope they both arrive with enough time to get used to it. Because the air is very heavy in Saudi Arabia. It's different food, different schedule. Everything starts very late at night," Sulaiman said.
The WBC president suggested a significant preparation period to ensure peak performance. He advised:
"I've gone with three, four days and it does cost you a lot of work. If Canelo arrives about three weeks earlier, he should be fine."
This fight marks another step in boxing's expansion into new markets, with Saudi Arabia becoming an increasingly popular destination for major bouts. The event will also feature other Mexican talents, including Marco Verde and Jaime Munguía in a big rematch.
Sulaiman highlighted the global impact of Mexican fighters in the sport:
"The Mexican is always a reference in boxing worldwide. We have Marco Verde, Munguía in the big rematch and Canelo in the main event. That speaks of the importance of the Latin boxer, of the Mexican boxer in the world."
As Canelo prepares to move from his Las Vegas base to Saudi Arabia, all eyes will be on how he manages the transition. The ability to adapt to these unusual circumstances could play a crucial role in the outcome of his fight against Scull.
