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 one
Both men stand orthodox. Canelo has a habit of using the first round to make reads for the most part, not throwing too much.
He edges forward, as Scull flicks out a few intermittent jabs.
Canelo with an overhand right, but he hasn’t put too much into that.
Now a winging right hook from Canelo, which grazes the chest of Scull.
Canelo continues to cut down the ring. Scull isn’t throwing too much, but he is showing lots of feints.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Main-event ring walks
There are some travelllng Mexicans, to be fair! They make their voices heard during their national anthem.
Canelo, by the way, has a much bigger entourage than Scull, who has four people with him. Canelo must have three times that, at least.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Main-event ring walks
Cuba’s Scull is the younger man at 32, he is the taller boxer by a few inches, has a slightly longer reach, and is unbeaten...
Yet Canelo, 34, is a heavy favourite tonight. Indeed, Scull has never fought someone of the Mexican’s calibre before.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Main-event ring walks
Right, then! One fight left tonight.
Canelo eyes two-time undisputed glory at super-middleweight, putting his unified titles on the line against IBF champion William Scull.
Canelo is also aiming to preserve a super-fight with Terence Crawford later this year, so he can’t afford a slip-up tonight...
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Badou Jack beats Norair Mikaeljan
Badou Jack def. Norair Mikaeljan via majority decision (114-114, 115-113, 115-113)
Jack gets it done, barely! And STILL WBC cruiserweight champion.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Badou Jack vs Norair Mikaeljan
Round 12
Final frame! One-two, left hook by MIkaeljan. Jack chases him around the ring, eyeing some revenge.
A pair of solid body uppercuts from Jack. Lots of wrestling as we approach and enter the final minute.
Oh! A clever combination from Mikaeljan ends in a power jab, which has Jack hunched over!
Again, though, he recovers well, just in time for the final bell,
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Badou Jack vs Norair Mikaeljan
Round 11
We seem destined to go the distance. Some entertaining rounds in there, though, ebbing and flowing back and forth.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Badou Jack vs Norair Mikaeljan
Round nine
Jack with some good body work at close range, exiting the clunch, before Mikaeljan slings in a great cross upstairs.
Oh! A cross puts Jack off balance! But the 41-year-old recovers well.
Canelo vs Scull LIVE: Badou Jack vs Norair Mikaeljan
Round eight
Mikaeljan throws about six jabs in a row. He finds a cross shortly thereafter, then a hard jab.
Decent left hook by the challenger now, and another.
Oh! Jack sets up a wonderful cross with a textbook jab, though.
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