Saul “Canelo” Alvarez retained his status as the undisputed super middleweight champion tonight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, outpointing an ultra-defensive William Scull in a fight that will be remembered more for what didn’t happen than what did.
The judges returned scorecards of 115-113, 116-112, and a wide 119-109 — all in favour of the Mexican superstar, who spent the majority of the bout stalking a backpedalling Scull, desperately trying to force a fight that never truly broke out.
From the opening bell, it was clear Scull came to survive. The undefeated Argentine used his legs more than his hands, staying at long range and circling the ring with lateral movement but offering minimal offence. Canelo, past his physical prime but still an elite ring general, pressed forward in every round, targeting the body and trying to cut off the ring. But with Scull refusing to engage, the fight quickly devolved into a frustrating twelve-round chess match — minus the checkmate.
Despite the lacklustre nature of the contest, the night ended on a high note for Canelo. He was awarded a commemorative Ring Magazine belt in the ring, celebrating his continued reign as the sport’s top dog at 168 lbs. Then came the moment boxing fans had been waiting for — Terence “Bud” Crawford entered the ring for a face-off, officially setting the stage for a September showdown between two undisputed champions.
The fight against Crawford promises to be far more competitive and explosive than tonight’s tactical snoozer. It’s a rare meeting of generational talents — Canelo’s pressure and experience against Crawford’s sharp counters and surgical precision.
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