Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and William Scull are set to face off in a big super middleweight title unification bout. The fight will take place on Saturday, May 3, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking Canelo's debut in Arab lands.
This match-up comes as part of a four-fight deal Canelo struck with Turki Alalshikh. The Mexican superstar currently holds the WBA, WBC, and WBO belts at 168 pounds. Scull, the IBF champion, will put his title on the line in an attempt to become the undisputed king of the division.
Canelo's path to this fight wasn't straightforward. He initially refused to face Scull, his mandatory challenger, which led to him vacating the IBF title. Now, he's looking to reclaim it and cement his status as the top dog at super middleweight.
The Cuban challenger, known as "El Indomable," hails from Matanzas and boasts an impressive undefeated record of 23 wins, with 9 knockouts. Scull grabbed the vacant IBF strap on October 24, 2024, by defeating Vladimir Shishkin. His technique, resilience, and strategic capacity have brought him to this career-defining moment.
Canelo enters the ring with a wealth of experience. His record stands at 62 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws, and 39 knockouts. The Mexican star's last outing saw him successfully defend all four titles against Edgar Berlanga at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 14, 2024.
"I'm excited to fight in Saudi Arabia for the first time," Canelo said. "Scull is a tough opponent, but I'm ready to prove once again why I'm the best in the division."
Canelo's recent performances suggest he's back to his best. After suffering a defeat to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022, he's strung together impressive victories over John Ryder, Jermell Charlo, and Edgar Berlanga, regaining his rhythm and confidence.
"This is my chance to shock the world," Scull stated. "I respect Canelo, but I'm coming to win. My technique and strategy will be the difference."
The stage is set for an epic showdown in Riyadh. Will Canelo continue his dominance, or will Scull pull off a stunning upset? Boxing fans around the world will be watching closely as these two champions clash for super middleweight supremacy.
