Canelo Álvarez Aims for Super Middleweight Supremacy in Saudi Arabia

RIAD, Arabia Saudita — Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez will return to the ring on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to face Cuban champion William Scull at the ANB Arena. This matchup is significant as it marks Álvarez’s first fight of the year and an opportunity for him to reclaim the IBF super middleweight title that he lost last year.

The fighters will compete for not just one belt but for the undisputed title in the super middleweight division. Álvarez will defend his WBC, WBO, and WBA super middleweight titles while Scull will put his IBF title on the line.

This will be the first time the two champions meet in the ring. Scull, undefeated in his professional career, expressed that this is a dream opportunity. “I was shocked for two or three days,” Scull told CNN. “I didn’t believe it. My mother, my family, everyone was happy. But it took a moment for me to realize it; then I said, ‘We did it.’”

According to Álvarez, training has focused on adapting to Scull’s fighting style. “As always, we are training here in the heights of Nevada, obviously training differently because the style of the rival is different,” he said. “We tried to have sparring partners similar to his style.”

The fight is set for an unusual time of 6 a.m. local time on May 4, which translates to 9 p.m. CDT on May 3 in Mexico and 11 p.m. ET in the United States. Fans can catch the event live on DAZN for a pay-per-view fee of $59.99 in the U.S. In Mexico, the fight will air for free on Canal 5 and Azteca 7.

This event is not only important for Álvarez but also for the sport of boxing, showcasing a clash between experienced legends and rising talents. The match is anticipated to be exciting, with the winner emerging as the undisputed champion in the super middleweight category.

The boxing community is poised for a thrilling showdown. Canelo aims to consolidate his reign, while Scull seeks to make his mark on the world stage.