William Scull, a Cuban boxer, is on the brink of a golden opportunity as his matchup against Mexico's Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez, the brightest star in boxing today, has been confirmed. The bout is set for May 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where they will compete for the undisputed super middleweight championship.
This announcement was made on Saturday by Turki Alalshikh, the head of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority. According to ESPN, this fight marks the first in a series of four matches Álvarez has signed under the Riyadh Season initiative, ensuring his participation in high-profile events in the Middle East. The clash will occur early on Sunday, May 4, in Saudi Arabia to align with prime time in the United States on Saturday night, coinciding with the Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Scull, boasting a record of 23-0 with 9 knockouts, was born in Cuba and currently resides in Germany. Last year, he was the mandatory challenger for the IBF title, but "Canelo" opted not to face him, resulting in Álvarez relinquishing the belt. Following this, Scull claimed the vacant title by defeating Vladimir Shiskin in October. Now, he has the chance to unify the titles against the fighter widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound in the sport.
"Canelo," with a record of 62-2-2 and 39 knockouts, is 34 years old and currently holds the WBC, WBA, and WBO titles in the 168-pound division. Notably, he has previously faced another Cuban, Erislandy Lara, in a bout that continues to spark debate among fans due to the controversial win by the Mexican fighter. A victory over Scull would reinforce Álvarez's status as the absolute champion and potentially set up a megafight against Terence Crawford on September 13 in Las Vegas.
The agreement with Riyadh Season has significantly altered the boxing landscape, especially since hours before the announcement, there were rumors of Álvarez nearing a deal to fight YouTuber Jake Paul in Las Vegas. However, the Mexican champion has reaffirmed his dedication to professional boxing.
Despite being undefeated, Scull is relatively unknown to the general public and enters the ring as a significant underdog against the experienced and powerful Álvarez. Yet, with his technical and elusive style, Scull aims to surprise the champion and make history as the first Cuban to achieve absolute supremacy in the 168-pound category.
Key Aspects of the William Scull vs. Canelo Álvarez Fight
When and where is the William Scull vs. Canelo Álvarez fight taking place?
The fight is scheduled for May 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It will be timed to coincide with prime time in the United States on Saturday night, May 4 Saudi time.
What is at stake in the William Scull vs. Canelo Álvarez fight?
The fight is for the undisputed super middleweight championship, providing an opportunity for Scull to unify titles and Álvarez to cement his status as the absolute champion.
What is William Scull's boxing record?
William Scull holds an undefeated record of 23-0, with 9 knockouts.
How does Canelo Álvarez's experience compare to William Scull's?
Canelo Álvarez is a seasoned boxer with a record of 62-2-2 and 39 knockouts, making him a highly experienced and formidable opponent compared to the less-known Scull.