Watch video highlights and read a summary of the main event boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and William Scull, which took place on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Canelo Alvarez (63-2-2) squared off against William Scull (23-1) in the highly anticipated main event. The fight was broadcast live on pay-per-view via DAZN.
Official Result: Canelo Alvarez defeats William Scull via Unanimous Decision (115-113, 116-112, 119-109)
Below is a recap of the fight`s key moments and perceived flow.
The bout began with both fighters in an orthodox stance. Scull initially appeared larger and utilized a sharp jab. Historically, Canelo often takes the early rounds to gauge his opponent`s timing and tendencies. Canelo began cutting off the ring, landing a right hand over Scull`s guard. Scull moved laterally, while Canelo advanced patiently, staying within range for power shots and effectively closing the distance. Scull relied on movement and sporadic jabs, resulting in limited action in the initial rounds.
As the fight progressed, Canelo maintained pressure, forcing Scull towards the ropes and targeting the body. Scull attempted to counter but found few opportunities. Canelo`s power was evident when landing body shots, causing Scull to retreat. Despite his patience, Canelo`s punch output was noted as relatively low in the early to middle rounds. Scull, while throwing more punches, often had them blocked or parried, struggling to land effectively or deter Canelo`s advance.
Mid-fight, Scull managed to land a few cleaner punches, including an uppercut and some right hands, showing moments of increased confidence. However, Canelo remained largely unbothered and continued his strategy of pressure and body work. Observers noted the fight`s slow pace at times, with periods of minimal engagement from both fighters.
Commentary during the broadcast drew significant criticism for perceived bias, frequently downplaying Scull`s efforts and appearing overly favorable towards Canelo, even when Canelo`s activity was low. At one point, the referee encouraged more action, a message some commentators interpreted as being directed primarily at Scull, despite Canelo`s own measured output.
In the later rounds, Canelo continued his steady pressure and body attack. Scull kept moving, occasionally attempting counters or jabs. The crowd grew restless during slower periods. Towards the end of the fight, particularly in the final round, both fighters showed slightly more urgency, leading to brief flurries of power shots.
Ultimately, Canelo`s consistent forward movement, effective ring cutting, and scoring with body shots proved sufficient on the judges` scorecards. Despite criticisms regarding the fight`s excitement level and the broadcast commentary, Canelo Alvarez secured the unanimous decision victory.
