Canelo Álvarez Regains Control of the Super Middleweight Division
Canelo Álvarez is back on the throne. Under the dazzling lights of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he reclaimed his spot as the undisputed super middleweight champion with a unanimous decision win over William Scull. This wasn't just another win—this was a statement. Canelo's record now stands at 62-2-2 with 39 knockouts. Scull, undefeated heading in with a 23-0 record, found out quickly why Canelo dominates this weight class.
For Canelo, Riyadh was uncharted territory. Until now, he'd always fought in the U.S. or his native Mexico. Yet the venue didn’t faze him. The real curveball? The fight’s unusually early start—6:20 a.m. local time—set to sync up with U.S. television. The Saudi crowd, small and mostly reserved, could hardly match the energy Canelo is used to, but he didn’t let it distract him from his goal.
Fight Breakdown: Early Scull Promise, Canelo Brilliance After
The bout kicked off with Scull bouncing on his toes, peppering Canelo with sharp jabs and using slick footwork. He had enough success to steal the opening round 10-9, which briefly silenced any doubters about his ability to stand with the champ. But that was about as bright as his night would get.
- Once Canelo picked up Scull’s rhythm, everything changed. The second round saw Álvarez start to sink heavy body shots that visibly slowed Scull by the middle rounds.
- Canelo’s signature pressure, combined with his ability to block and counter, broke down Scull's confidence. By rounds five and six, Canelo’s punches started landing with a thud, forcing Scull to keep moving backward.
- Even as Scull tried to circle away and poke with jabs, Canelo never seemed rushed, just methodical—taking his time, picking his shots, and pushing the fight at his own pace.
While the judges’ cards reflected some early competitiveness—one had it 115-113 and another 116-112—the third card of 119-109 told the real story. Scull’s movement couldn’t hide the fact that he wasn’t hurting Canelo. Watching Canelo coast in the later rounds, it was apparent the only thing in his way was the final bell.
Once the scores were in and his arm lifted, Canelo wasted zero time—he called out Terence Crawford right there in the ring and set the table for an even bigger showdown on September 12.
Looking back, this fight may not go down as a Canelo classic, but it showed the guy’s consistency and ability to perform, no matter the location or circumstances. Saudi Riyadh might not have given him a hero’s crowd roar, but it gave him another belt—and another chapter in a career that keeps finding new ways to impress.
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