Canelo Unifies, Munguia Wins Rematch, Jack Wins, Bakole Draws with Ajagba
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (May 4th, 2025)–On a DAZN card billed as ‘Fatal Fury’ in the face of Cinco de Mayo holiday, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez unified the World Super Middleweight title with a 12 round unanimous decision over Cuban challenger and International Boxing Federation World Super Middleweight champion William Scull, in the main event at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.”
Alvarez, 63-2-2 with 39 knockouts, Guadalajara, Mexico, did something between the Mexican Hat Dance and The Tango with Scull, 23-1 with nine knockouts, Berlin, Germany, by way of Matanzas, Cuba. Canelo showed an impenetrable defense, while Scull showed fancy footwork of elusiveness. Combined, the two combatants threw only 445 punches in a world championship bout, the fewest number of punches thrown in CompuBox history in a world title bout.
Referee Kieran McKann warned both fighters to stop running around so much in the ninth round. Canelo landed numerous body shots, and some accurate left hooks to the head. Scull countered occasionally with good right hands. Scull’s punches had no power and no angles, leaving Scull to do nothing but make Canelo look bad for all 12 rounds. Canelo, 10-0 as a super middleweight and the king of the 168-pound division, appeared to win the first six rounds with Scull grinning and moving. Scull showed up in condition, but as far as the bout was concerned, he neglected to take any chances and insured he went the distance.
Canelo’s date with destiny with Terence Crawford in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on September 12, 2025, was assured with this win. Crawford, 37, will be going up three weight classes from welterweight and hopefully, will be able to show more than Scull did. If you wanted to see Canelo on DAZN, you saw Canelo. If you wanted to see a fight between Scull and Canelo, you were disappointed. Canelo landed 56 of 152 punches, while Scull landed 55 of 293. When he did land, Scull landed some head shots. Canelo concentrated on the body, keeping the wary Scull at bay on his bicycle for the entire contest.
Canelo came forward as the aggressor and got the scorecards. The punch count landed was separated by only one punch difference between the two men, 56-55 for Canelo. Overall, Scull ran the marathon, and appeared not to come to fight. As such, Canelo did not get one. However, one can agree that Canelo Alvarez, at this point in his career by experience, will cause many fighters will show up for a payday but not take chances. Scull was one of them. This appeared to be, by the lack of action, the worst title bout of 2025 so far. Canelo cannot be blamed as he came to do battle, but Scull did not. It was a bout, but there wasn’t much action. There was not much to write about. Canelo waited for Scull to fight all night, who ran away.
Result: Saul Alvarez Won in 12 Rounds by Unanimous Decision over William Scull, Middleweights
Alvarez retains WBC and WBO Super Middleweight titles. Alvarez regains IBF title.
Scoring: 119-109, 116-0112, 115-113 for Alvarez. Referee: Kieran McCann
Undercard Bouts in Riyadh
Jaime Munguia Won in 12 Rounds over Bruno Surace, Super Middleweights
Munguia wins rematch easily with scores of 117-111, 117-111, 116-112 over 26-0-2 Surace.
Martin Bakole Majority Drew in 10 Rounds over Eje Ajagba, Heavyweights
Lively power shot slugfest. Scoring: 95-95, 95-95 majority draw. 96-94 Ajagba.
Richard Riakporhe Won by Referee’s Technical Decision 4 Kevin Espindola, Heavyweights
18-1 ranked cruiser Riakporhe debuts at heavyweight, keeps calling out Lawrence Okolie.
Mohammed Alakel Won in Six Rounds over Alexander Morales, Lightweights
Brayan Leon Won in Six Rounds over Aaron Guerrero, Super Middleweights
Marco Verde (Pro Debut) Won by Technical Stoppage in First Round over Michel Polina, Middleweights (1:34)
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