Canelo Álvarez, boxing’s premier superstar, has officially announced his next challenge: a May 3 showdown with the undefeated Cuban contender William Scull in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This fight, part of Canelo’s groundbreaking four-fight deal with the Riyadh Season, will be for the undisputed super middleweight championship.
The bout also marks Canelo’s return to reclaim the IBF title, which was stripped last year after he declined a mandatory defense against Scull. “I just fight real fighters,” Álvarez emphasized in a statement, dismissing speculation of a YouTube exhibition match. With 62 wins, 39 by knockout, the 34-year-old Mexican icon is determined to remind the world why he remains the pound-for-pound king.
Facing Scull (23-0, 9 KOs), a technically sharp but largely untested fighter, Canelo sees this as an important step toward his highly anticipated superfight with Terence Crawford on September 13. Despite Scull’s undefeated record and a slick, awkward style, he is widely considered a heavy underdog against Álvarez’s unmatched experience and skill set.
For Canelo, this fight isn’t just about retaining his belts—it’s about setting the tone for a historic year under the Riyadh Season banner. “Saudi Arabia is giving boxing a grand stage, and I’m here to make history,” Álvarez said. With this May 3 spectacle, fans will witness not just a clash for gold but the next chapter in the legacy of one of boxing’s all-time greats.
