Philippines, 08 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Canelo Grinds Out Uninspiring Win Over Elusive William Scull in Saudi Arabia; Canelo-Crawford Up Next


PhilBoxing.com





What was supposed to be a showcase for Canelo Álvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs) turned into a frustrating chess match as the Mexican superstar labored to a unanimous decision win over Cuba’s William Scull (23-1, 9 KOs) in a snooze-inducing affair early Sunday morning at Kingdom Arena.

The judges scored the bout 119-109 (Danrex Tapdasan), 116-112 (Ron McNair), and 115-113 (Pablo Gonzalez)—all in favor of Canelo, who retained his undisputed super middleweight crown for the second time. But the real story was Scull’s relentless movement, which turned the fight into a glorified game of tag rather than a high-stakes championship bout.

From the opening bell, Scull refused to engage, opting instead for a stick-and-move strategy that left Canelo swinging at air. The Cuban circled endlessly, flicking occasional jabs while backpedaling at the first sign of pressure.

Round after round, the pattern repeated: Canelo stalked, Scull sprinted. The Mexican’s frustration grew as he struggled to cut off the ring, while Scull’s hit-and-not-get-hit approach drew scattered boos from the Riyadh crowd.


Canelo gets solid gold Ring Belt after his win over Scull.

By the ninth round, referee Kieran McCann had seen enough, briefly halting the action to demand more engagement—particularly from Scull. The Cuban obliged for all of 10 seconds, standing his ground just long enough to land a quick combo before resuming his marathon session.

The final round saw Canelo desperately charging forward, but Scull’s elusiveness held firm, leaving the champion to settle for a workmanlike victory rather than the statement win he desired.

The punch stats were surprisingly close, with Canelo landing 56 total punches to Scull’s 55. However, the body attack told the real story—Canelo’s 40 body shots dwarfed Scull’s meager 6, proving the difference in a fight devoid of fireworks.


Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford pose with Saudi's Turki Alalshik to green light their September 12 megafight at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The only bright spot? This fight is over. With the Scull hurdle cleared, the path is now clear for the September 12 superfight between Canelo and Terence "Bud" Crawford at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas—a clash that promises real action on Mexican Independence Day weekend.

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh wasted no time, immediately staging a face-off between Canelo and Crawford to ignite hype for what could be the biggest boxing event of the decade.

Fans and pundits will quickly erase the memory of this forgettable Canelo-Scull bout. But one thing is certain: September 12 can’t come soon enough.

Can Canelo handle Crawford’s precision and power? Or will "Bud" cement his legacy as multi-division king?

One thing’s for sure—it won’t be another running match.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • A Night of Boxing in Sta Ynez, California: Cain Sandoval Versus Jino Rodrigo
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 08 Aug 2025
  • USA Boxing Announces 2025 World Boxing Championships Roster
    , Fri, 08 Aug 2025
  • Adrien Broner Hints at Comeback, Pledges 3-5 More Years to Boxing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 08 Aug 2025
  • Heavyweight Jamar Talley falls short in opening bout of 2023 Santiago Pan American Games
    , Fri, 08 Aug 2025
  • Milo Marathon in Tagum on September 7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 08 Aug 2025
  • Former Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion, Riddick Bowe Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 08 Aug 2025
  • Gaballo and Laurente to Co-Headline Sanman Boxing Event in Gensan
    , Thu, 07 Aug 2025
  • Paulo Salud and His POWer Punches
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025
  • Jamaine Ortiz Eager to Face Steve Claggett in Co-Main Event of MVP Fight Night on DAZN
    , Thu, 07 Aug 2025
  • Happy 53rd Birthday to the One and Only Gerry Peñalosa!!!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025
  • FLORIDA POOL OPEN DAY TWO: GORST FALLS TO ATENCIO AS CHUA, YAPP, AND DUONG CRUISE INTO LAST 64
    , Thu, 07 Aug 2025
  • 128 chess players officially registered for Touchmove
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025
  • Japanese Rule of the Lower Weights Under Challenge by Pinoy, Latino Boxers
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025
  • September 6: Former World Champion Oscar Valdez Faces Ricky "El Castigo" Medina in Mexican Homecoming at Domo Binacional in Nogales
    , Thu, 07 Aug 2025
  • Former World Champion & U. S. Olympian Sadam Ali to headline “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit
    , Thu, 07 Aug 2025
  • "Pitbull" Cruz receives his WBC Belt in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 06 Aug 2025
  • Japanese Rule of Lower Weights Under Challenge; Head-Scratching Latest WBC World Rankings
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 06 Aug 2025
  • UNDERCARD ADDITIONS ANNOUNCED FOR ALLEN v MAKHMUDOV AS HEARN EXPECTS TICKETS TO FLY FOR OCTOBER 11 IN SHEFFIELD
    , Wed, 06 Aug 2025
  • Yoenis Tellez to Defend WBA Interim Title Against Abass Baraou in High-Stakes Showdown on DAZN
    , Wed, 06 Aug 2025
  • CB Promotions To Debut This Fall
    , Wed, 06 Aug 2025
  • 2 Division World Champion, Current WBO, The Ring Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13,
    , Wed, 06 Aug 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 11 - ALI GETS BACK HIS BOXING LICENSE, WINS OVER QUARRY, BONAVENA AND ELLIS
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 4 AUGUST 2025: Canizales Stops Pradabsri in Caracas; Duarte Outpoints Sims; Prograis Edges Diaz; Ancajas Wins in US Return
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Unforgettable Moments with the Champions
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • IT’S A “HOMECOMING” FOR FIVE-TIME WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER MARICELA CORNEJO FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 AT LEGENDS CASINO
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.