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The Cuban William Scull (23-1, 9 KO) suffered the first defeat of his professional career this Saturday against the Mexican Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez (63-2-2, 39 KO), who won by unanimous decision at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to secure the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title and reclaim the status of undisputed super middleweight champion.
The judges awarded scores of 115-113, 116-112, and 119-109 in favor of the Mexican, in a fight characterized more by strategy and mutual respect than by the explosive action typically expected in matches of this level.
A fight for oblivion
The fight between Scull and Canelo will go down in history for its minimal statistics: according to CompuBox, both boxers combined to throw just 445 punches, the lowest number ever recorded in a 12-round fight in the last 40 years, according to ESPN.
Canelo only landed 152 punches, the second lowest total of his career in a 12-round fight. His most active moment was in the twelfth round, with only 10 punches landed. Scull, on the other hand, threw more than his opponent (293), but without the power or accuracy needed to sway the outcome.
Both averaged five landed punches per round, and none managed to land more than seven in any of the first 11 rounds. Of the 48 power punches thrown by Álvarez, 83% were aimed at the body, as part of a strategy to wear down a slippery but uninspired opponent.
Scull loses the crown and his unbeaten record
William Scull had won the FIB belt in October 2023 by defeating the Russian Vladimir Shishkin in a solid performance that positioned him as the organization's number one contender. However, in his first defense, the fighter from Guantánamo failed to set the pace or take advantage of his youth and mobility against a more experienced opponent.
Álvarez, undisputed champion… once again
With this victory, Canelo Álvarez becomes the first boxer in history to be an undisputed champion twice in the same division in the era of the four governing bodies. The Mexican had lost the IBF title due to administrative stripping after his last fight against Edgar Berlanga in 2024, but he regained it by defeating Scull.
At the end of the match, Turki Alalshikh, president of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, invited Terence Crawford to the ring to announce Canelo's upcoming fight in September in Las Vegas, further increasing the interest in the next steps for the Mexican champion.
Thus, Scull bids farewell to his unbeaten record in a lackluster fight, while Canelo rewrites the history of boxing at the elite level. Now, it's time for the Cuban to face the challenge of recovering, adjusting his style, and proving he can return to the top in a fiercely competitive division.
Frequently Asked Questions about the fight between William Scull and Canelo Álvarez
What was the outcome of the fight between William Scull and Canelo Álvarez?
William Scull lost his undefeated record against Canelo Álvarez by unanimous decision, with scores of 115-113, 116-112, and 119-109, in a match that took place at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Why was it a lackluster fight between Scull and Canelo?
The fight was deemed lackluster because both boxers threw a minimal number of punches, marking the lowest number of punches landed in a 12-round fight in the last 40 years, according to CompuBox, with a combined total of 445 punches.
What did this victory mean for Canelo Álvarez?
With this victory, Canelo Álvarez became the first boxer to be an undisputed champion twice in the same division in the era of the four sanctioning bodies. He reclaimed the IBF title and reaffirmed his status as the absolute champion of the super middleweight division.
What is the immediate future for Canelo Álvarez after this fight?
After this victory, Canelo Álvarez has a fight scheduled in September in Las Vegas against Terence Crawford, announced by Turki Alalshikh, president of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia.
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