The recent bout in Saudi Arabia between Mexican superstar Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and previously undefeated Cuban contender William Scull was more than just another title defense—it was a night that solidified Canelo’s legendary status while igniting a firestorm of controversy outside the ring.
With a unanimous decision victory, Canelo became the undisputed super middleweight champion for the second time, marking a historic milestone in his storied career. However, the fight’s outcome was met with vocal disapproval from Scull, whose perfect record came to an abrupt end.
Scull wasted no time in criticizing the decision, accusing the judges of being swayed by Canelo’s reputation. Speaking to ESPN, the Cuban boxer lamented, “They beat me in a fight without hitting me. It’s a shame, isn’t it? That boxing has come to this… This is boxing: to hit and not be hit.”
According to Scull, his defensive strategy was misunderstood. He believed his ability to evade punishment should have counted in his favor, arguing that avoiding Canelo’s offense was a demonstration of control, not retreat. His comments went viral, fueling a heated debate on social media about whether evasive tactics constitute a legitimate winning style or simply a lack of offensive intent.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and William Scull (L-R) on the Fatal Fury City of Wolves card at ANB Arena on May 03, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Canelo fires back: “You came just to survive”
Canelo swiftly responded to the backlash, dismissing Scull’s complaints and openly questioning his mentality. In an interview with FightHub TV, the champion revealed he confronted Scull during the fight itself.
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“I told him: ‘You just came to survive. You can’t win a fight like that, fighting like that,’” Canelo said, highlighting his frustration with Scull’s defensive posture. From Canelo’s perspective, the Cuban’s unwillingness to engage diminished the quality of the contest and validated the judges’ verdict.
Later, in a statement to TMZ, Canelo reiterated his dominance: “In boxing, I’ve already achieved everything. I’ve fought everyone… I’ve won many titles in different divisions.” He also emphasized that, despite Scull’s solid defense, the lack of offensive production left no question as to who deserved the win.
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Canelo: Cementing a historic legacy
With this victory, Canelo adds all four major belts at 168 pounds to his resume once again, reaffirming his status as one of boxing’s greatest active fighters. The triumph brings his record to 63 wins, while making him the only Mexican boxer to become undisputed champion twice in the same weight class.
