Boxing Result

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and William Scull met in Riyadh in a unification bout that restored clarity to the super middleweight division. The contest was more than a defence for Alvarez; it was a reclamation of the IBF title he had relinquished the previous year to pursue a lucrative fight with Edgar Berlanga, a decision that left the division’s undisputed status in question. Scull, the Cuban-born, German-based IBF champion, had seized the vacant belt by outpointing Vladimir Shishkin and entered the ring undefeated, determined to prove he belonged among boxing’s elite. With Alvarez holding the WBA, WBC, and WBO belts, the stage was set for a battle to once again crown a sole ruler at 168 pounds.

The opening rounds were a tactical chess match. Taller and longer, Scull circled Alvarez, using his jab and movement to keep the Mexican star at range. Alvarez, fighting outside North America for the first time, was patient, stalking behind a high guard and looking to close the distance. Scull’s output was higher early, but his punches struggled to find the mark against Alvarez’s tight defence. The champion’s methodical approach began to pay dividends in the third and fourth rounds as he dug in body shots and timed counters off Scull’s jab, slowly breaking down the challenger’s rhythm.

As the fight continued, Alvarez’s experience and ring IQ became increasingly evident. He cut off the ring, forcing Scull to the ropes and corners, unleashing combinations to the body and head. Scull’s movement, so lively in the early going, began to slow under the relentless pressure and thudding bodywork. Alvarez’s jab was sharp, and his right hand found the target with increasing regularity, while Scull’s attempts to rally were stifled by the champion’s defence and precise counters. Although Scull continued to throw in volume, few of his shots landed cleanly, and the Mexican’s accuracy and power were the difference in the exchanges.

By the championship rounds, Alvarez was in full command. He confidently stalked Scull, landing flush hooks to the body and mixing in uppercuts and straight rights. To his credit, Scull never stopped moving and showed heart in the face of adversity, but he could not mount any sustained offence or deter Alvarez’s forward march. The crowd responded to Alvarez’s dominance, and the sense grew that the only question remaining was whether he would secure a stoppage or cruise to a wide decision. Scull’s resilience kept him upright, but his offence was nullified mainly, and his output diminished as Alvarez’s pressure took its toll.

At the final bell, there was little doubt as to the outcome. The judges returned unanimous scores in favour of Alvarez-115-113, 116-112, and a lopsided 119,-109-reflecting the Mexican’s dominance and control throughout the fight. With the victory, Alvarez reclaimed his status as the undisputed super middleweight champion, becoming a two-time holder of all four major belts at 168 pounds. Scull, suffering the first defeat of his professional career, now stands at 23-1, while Alvarez improves to 62-2-2 and cements his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

In the aftermath, there was speculation about Alvarez’s next move, with talk of a super fight against Terence Crawford already in motion. The loss was a harsh introduction to the highest level of the sport for Scull, but his durability and skillset suggest he will remain a factor in the division.

Alvarez’s victory was a testament to his adaptability, ring intelligence, and the punishing body attack that has become his trademark. He once again stands alone atop the super middleweight division, undisputed and unchallenged, with his place in boxing history secure.