Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Fight updates, results and reaction tonight
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez fights William Scull, as the Mexican icon makes his Saudi debut and aims to preserve a super-fight with Terence Crawford
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez became a two-time undisputed super-middleweight champion on Saturday, outpointing William Scull to keep alive a super-fight with Terence Crawford.
Canelo, making his debut in Saudi Arabia, earned scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 119-109, though the former card flattered Scull, who was reluctant to engage throughout and focused on being elusive. Mexican icon Canelo, meanwhile, relied on intermittent power punches to the body for the most part, while stalking the 32-year-old Cuban around the ring.
With his victory, Canelo took the IBF belt from Scull, adding it to his WBC, WBA and WBO titles. The 34-year-old also handed Scull his first professional loss.
Canelo’s win kept him on track for a planned clash with fellow pound-for-pound star Crawford in September. It was already expected that the bout would take place in Las Vegas that month, and Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh said on Saturday that 12 September is the specific date being targeted, at Allegiant Stadium.
Re-live the action below.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Round 11
Penultimate round. Eventually Canelo is warned for hitting Scull from behind, but that was largely a result of the Cuban turning away from Canelo. Still, Canelo can’t allow himself to get overly frustrated. Here and there, Scull complains about low blows that are definitely not low blows.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Round 10
Canelo tries to get after Scull, but he’s still struggling to land much more than the occasional single body shot. Yes, that’s been part of his gameplan for a few years now anyway; it’s just that even when he *does* try to crank things up, Scull is literally skipping away.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Round nine
Canelo is warned for throwing a hook too low.
It looked borderline, but Scull turned to the ref, who was quick to lecture Canelo.
Back under way, and Scull continues to be hard to hit, but he’s not landing anything of note either.
He dances about, taunting Canelo.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Round eight
Scull proving very evasive still, skipping left to right and right to left along the ropes. He bites hard on most of what Canelo does, looking fairly anxious.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Round seven
Canelo is investing heavily in the body now. Scull tries to come back with a combination to the head, but all we get is a clinch.
Lotsssss of movement from Scull against the ropes. Canelo trying not to get frustrated.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Round six
Decent shot by Scull! Lovely entry from him, setting up a kind of shovel uppercut.
Canelo wants to get back some respect, so corners the IBF champ and slams a cross into the mid-section.
A few more of those as the round progresses. Scull is happy to stay mobile and light on his feet where possible.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Round five
Tons of feints from Scull, almost none of which draw any reaction from an ice-cold Canelo.
Good head movement from Scull to avoid a long lead uppercut.
Canelo traps Scull against the ropes and crashes a right hook into the chest of the Cuban.
Canelo seems to be increasing the power round by round, almost.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Round four
Scull tries to get more active now, in terms of output. He’s been plenty active in terms of footwork, to the exent that he’ll surely tire down the stretch – if he makes it thay far.
Cross and left hook to the body by Canelo. Scull retorts with one of his better moments so far, before flexing to punctuate the right hand.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Round three
We’re seeing what we’ve become used to seeing from Canelo in recent years: he’s stalking forward and throwing intermittent, big shots. There’s the occasional follow-up punch, but he likes the idea of landing one huge shot, you feel. The combination punching of old isn’t there as much nowadays.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Round two
Immediately, Canelo takes the centre of the ring again. He’s blocking the majority of Scull’s jabs.
Right hook to the body by Canelo, then a left hook to the head. Lovely stuff.
Now another hook upstairs, which has Scull slightly off balance and biting down on his gumshield.
Scull with a one-two, the cross landing on the chest of the Mexican. Canelo with a right hook to the chest.
Canelo ends the round with a pair of hooks, burrowed into the midriff of the Cuban.
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