On May 3rd, the boxing world will turn its gaze to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as Canelo Alvarez takes on William Scull in what promises to be a defining match in Alvarez’s illustrious career. This contest, part of a card orchestrated by Turki Al-Sheikh, will see Alvarez defend his WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight titles against Scull’s IBF title. With all four major belts on the line, the stakes could not be higher for both fighters. While Alvarez aims to cement his legacy further by becoming the undisputed champion at 168 pounds, Scull has been relatively untested on the international stage, leaving fans questioning whether he truly deserves this title shot.
William Scull, now 32 years old, holds a controversial win in his recent bout against Vladimir Shishkin, which has left many fans skeptical about his capabilities as a top contender. If you were to ask boxing aficionados, they would likely recall the backlash following Scull’s 12-round decision victory on October 19, 2022, where many believed he actually lost the fight. Despite this, he walks into the ring with a chance to make his name in a division dominated by the likes of Alvarez. However, skeptics argue that Scull is merely a placeholder in Alvarez’s journey back to undisputed glory—a “glorified tune-up” instead of an authentic challenge.
Fans Seek More Competitive Matchups
The enthusiasm surrounding this fight is tempered by a significant amount of disillusionment among boxing fans. With a lack of familiarity with Scull, many supporters of the sport are crying out for Alvarez to face a more recognizable and formidable opponent. Ideally, the narrative would revolve around a hyper-competitive match that would intrigue viewers and justify Alvarez’s massive fanbase. Fighters such as David Benavidez, David Morrell, and Dmitry Bivol come to mind as possible opponents who could stoke excitement, but instead, boxing enthusiasts are left to grapple with what feels like a lackluster build-up to a potentially important fight.
Despite those reservations, this bout is particularly crucial for Alvarez, who views this as the opening act of a four-fight deal with Al-Sheikh. Following the clash with Scull, Alvarez’s sights are firmly set on a much-anticipated fight against Terence Crawford slated for September 13 in Las Vegas. While it’s clear that this is the “big fight” that Al-Sheikh has craved, critics argue that the build-up surrounding Alvarez’s bout against Scull diminishes the excitement that should precede a grand matchup like the one with Crawford.
The perspective from enthusiasts suggests that if Al-Sheikh truly wanted to capture the public’s imagination, he should have sought a more commendable matchup for Alvarez before the high-stakes fight with Crawford. The idea of crafting momentum leading up to such significant bouts cannot be overlooked. To perform optimally against Crawford—which fans are fervently hoping for—it would be prudent for Alvarez to engage in a demanding prelude against a known quantity in the division.
The fight against Scull isn’t just about titles; it’s a test for Alvarez to assess where he stands in a rapidly evolving boxing landscape. Many speculate that should Scull fall to Alvarez, the real question remains whether Alvarez’s next opponent—a gritty contender like Crawford—will be able to expose weaknesses preemptively revealed in the fight with Scull. Critics also advocate that a more rigorous opponent versus Scull could prepare Alvarez far better for the caliber of competition at the top echelons, ultimately enriching the spectacle boxing fans can expect.
May 3rd promises a match that, while important, feels overshadowed by both its potential limitations and the anticipation of more thrilling showdowns ahead, particularly against Terence Crawford. While Canelo Alvarez prepares for what many label as a mere stepping stone, the broader implications for his legacy are anything but simple. His path toward undisputed status at 168 pounds may ultimately hinge on the effectiveness of his performance against Scull and the direction it charts him toward in the coming months. The boxing world will be watching closely, not just for the belts, but for the deeply layered narratives fueling the sport we all love.