Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Canelo Alvarez secured his position as the undisputed super middleweight champion once again after defeating William Scull by unanimous decision. The victory on Saturday night reflected Alvarez’s dominance in the ring, as he outclassed Scull in a bout that displayed both skill and strategy.
With a record of 63 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, Alvarez reclaimed the IBF title, which he had lost when he opted not to face Scull previously. The judges scored the fight 119-109, 116-112, and 115-113, underscoring the one-sided nature of the contest. This win sets the stage for a much-anticipated showdown against Terence Crawford, scheduled for September 12 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
In a fight that many observers anticipated would be straightforward, Alvarez faced a seemingly passive opponent. Scull, hailing from Cuba and entering the match with a record of 23-1, was cautious and relied on evasion rather than volume. Alvarez maintained the pressure throughout, yet he chose to be strategic rather than reckless with his aggression.
Statistics from CompuBox illustrated the fight’s lack of activity, with both fighters combining for just 445 thrown punches, the lowest in a 12-round bout over the last 40 years. Each competitor averaged only five punches landed per round, a statistic that underscores the fight’s lethargy. Despite this, Alvarez’s precision and power allowed him to capitalize on Scull’s tepid approach.
“I don’t like to fight those kinds of guys,” Alvarez remarked after the match, reflecting on Scull’s tactics. “They come just to survive. It won’t be like that against Crawford.” His words hinted at the increased intensity expected in his upcoming clash with the undefeated Crawford, who carries a record of 41-0.
Though Alvarez remained unchallenged for the most part, the bout was not without its frustrations. Both fighters received warnings for inactivity, which contributed to an atmosphere that seemed to lack urgency. Nonetheless, Alvarez’s ability to target Scull’s body with effective power shots highlighted his boxing acumen, extending his winning streak to six. Interestingly, Alvarez has not achieved a knockout in any of these victories, with his last stoppage coming against Caleb Plant in November 2021.
Scull relatively managed to avoid significant damage but ultimately suffered his first career defeat in this bout. As the dust settles from Saturday’s fight, the anticipation for Alvarez’s upcoming matchup with Crawford grows, promising a more high-stakes contest that boxing fans eagerly await.