Boxer Canelo Alvarez strikes to deliver a knockout punch against Billy Joe Saunders in the former's first fight in Saudi Arabia
Canelo, age 34, steps into the ring with a staggering record of 62-2-2, boasting 39 knockouts, as he gears up for a high-stakes bout during the Cinco de Mayo weekend. This isn't your ordinary fight for him, but for his opponent, it's a whole new ball game.
Following a grueling unanimous decision over Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas in September, Canelo is now set for a battle against the up-and-coming William Scull in Riyadh this weekend. Before this, Alvarez was deprived of his International Boxing Federation belt when he opted to fight Berlanga instead of IBF's mandatory challenger, Scull.
The fight will mark Alvarez's first time stepping out of North America during nearly two decades of a professional boxing career and will take place early Sunday morning in Riyadh, timed to coincide with Saturday evening festivities over the Cinco de Mayo weekend in North America.
Alvarez signed a four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Seasons promotion in February, making him the latest boxing superstar to seek a mega payday in the kingdom. During a press conference in Riyadh, Alvarez stated, "Believe me. This is nothing new for me. But for him, it's gonna be something different, for sure."
Bookmakers have Scull as a massive underdog going into the weekend's fight. With the bout flying under the radar for casual fans, many see it as a warm-up match ahead of a highly anticipated super fight between Alvarez and Terence Crawford later this year, which is rumored to be in the final stages of negotiations. But it all hinges on Alvarez winning in Riyadh this weekend.
Veteran combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani commented, "If William Scull wins somehow, someway on Saturday night, he ruins all of those plans."
Refreshingly calm and confident amidst the hype, Scull downplayed concerns about the early-morning start time, stating, "This is a fight, and I'm ready to do it any time." The undefeated 32-year-old Cuban challenger added, "Canelo is a great boxer. It's a tough fight, but it's another man. I'm looking to take what is mine as well."
On the undercard, French super middleweight Bruno Surace aims to silence doubters in his rematch against Jaime Munguia, after scoring a devastating sixth-round knockout in Tijuana in December. The win earned Surace the prestigious Ring magazine's "Upset of the Year" award.
The world of boxing plays a significant role in Saudi Arabia's growing portfolio of sporting pursuits, with accusations of “sportswashing” their dubious human rights record arising. Along with Formula One, the LIV Golf tour, Newcastle United, and attracting several aging football stars to its domestic league, Saudi Arabia's strategy reached its crowning moment late last year after being named as the host of football's 2034 World Cup.
Enrichment Data:The upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull fight, happening on May 3, 2025 in Riyadh, marks an essential event for both boxers. Scull seeks to maintain his undefeated record and gain recognition by facing boxing's biggest name, while Canelo returns after eight months, aiming to keep his reign in the super middleweight division intact. Additionally, a win by Canelo would likely lead to discussions for major future bouts, while a Scull victory could catapult him into title contention.
- The upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull fight on May 3, 2025, is not just a regular sports event, but a significant milestone in both boxers' careers, with Scull aiming to maintain his undefeated record and gain recognition by challenging boxing's biggest name.
- Canelo Alvarez, ready to return after eight months, aims to keep his reign in the super middleweight division intact in this high-stakes bout, which may lead to future major fights if he emerges victorious.
- The fight, taking place in Riyadh, is part of Saudi Arabia's growing portfolio of sporting pursuits, raising questions about "sportswashing" their human rights record, as the kingdom has been accused of in the past with other sporting events such as Formula One, the LIV Golf tour, and attracting football stars to its league.
- Amidst the accusations of "sportswashing," theworld of boxing plays a substantial role in Saudi Arabia's strategy, reaching its peak last year when the kingdom was named as the host of football's 2034 World Cup.
