Scull, the Cuban challenger, spent most of the fight running away from Canelo. He seemed more interested in avoiding a knockout than trying to win. Canelo couldn't catch up to land any significant blows, resulting in a boring match that some called a "disaster."
This fight was important for Canelo. The IBF had stripped him of his belt, so he had to beat Scull to regain his undisputed super middleweight champion status. But the way it played out left Canelo frustrated.
After the fight, Canelo didn't hold back his feelings.
"For me, it's a boring fight. You know, like a fighter who doesn't try to win or just survive. I hate that kind of fighter."
Caleb Plant, who fought Canelo in 2021, agreed with this assessment on social media. This caught the attention of X Zayin Brown, who praised Plant's performance against Canelo.
"That's why I have so much respect for @SweetHandsPlant (Caleb Plant). He didn't get fooled by the fight with Canelo. He came out on his shield, and every fighter Canelo has faced since then has been a money grabber. Plant wanted the crown."
Plant appreciated the comment and responded:
"I fell short, but I wanted to win. I'd rather go out on my shield than feel like I didn't give it my all."
This exchange highlighted a growing concern in the boxing world. Many feel that recent Canelo opponents care more about the payday than putting up a real fight. Plant's 2021 performance, which ended in an 11th-round technical knockout loss, stands out as an example of a challenger genuinely trying to win.
The Scull fight adds to a string of lackluster matchups for Canelo. Fans and fellow boxers alike hope to see more competitive bouts in the future, where both fighters come to win, not just to survive.