Canelo Scull Final Press Conference

Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) and the undefeated super middleweight champion William Scull (23-0, 9 KOs) held the final press conference Thursday ahead of Álvarez’s Riyadh Season debut for the Undisputed Super Middleweight Championship this Saturday, May 3, at anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia live on DAZN PPV.

Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez

“I love boxing, and I’m very excited to be here. It’s one of my dreams to fight in other countries, and now I’m about to do it. I’m motivated like I always am.

“At the beginning, the time change and the weather was a little bit difficult. But that’s why I came three weeks early. I’m ready now.

“Being undisputed means a lot. It’s history for my career and that’s what I want. That’s what motivates me.

“I expect that he’ll be difficult in the beginning, just like in the Erislandy Lara fight. But I’m a different fighter now and he’s gonna feel it on Saturday.

“I hope he goes for it, but I don’t think he will. He says he’s gonna eat me, but the only thing he’s gonna eat are these fists. Everybody talks up here, but when they’re in the ring, it’s something different.”

William Scull

“We’re going to take this fight round by round. I’m a boxer who can manage all types of distances in the ring. We’ll have to see how that plan develops.

“I left Cuba 23 years ago, and since then I’ve gone on to fight in 24 countries. I’ve always gone into situations where I’m being underestimated. I don’t really care what people say. I’m coming to show that ‘yes, you can.’

“You’re always ready for the possibility of something like this fight coming along. I have to thank Team Canelo for accepting this fight. We’re going to give everyone a great show.”

Eddy Reynoso, Canelo’s Manager & Trainer

“A lot of people talk about the time change fighting here, but when you work with somebody as disciplined as Canelo is, who has all that experience, he can adjust to any type of timetable. He’s a fighter, he’s a champion, and he’s always shown that.

“Even when Canelo was in the gym as a teenager, he always had that hunger to continue growing in the sport. He’s in better shape now than some fighters who are 20. He’s an example inside of the ring and outside it.

“Without a doubt the Cuban boxing school is one of the best. It’s produced some wonderful champions and trainers. What we need to do on Saturday is impose the Mexican boxing school on him. Scull is a great fighter and a wonderful champion who comes from a great background, but we have plans and we’re coming to win.”

Franquis Aldama, Scull’s Trainer

“I have 100% confidence in William Scull. He has to do what he’s always done before, and that’s go out there and just fight.

“This training camp has been fantastic. It went really well and he’s gonna show that to everyone on May 3.”

Frank Warren, Queensbury Promotions

“Riyadh is where the biggest fights in boxing happen and now the biggest fighter in the world is here. It’s a perfect marriage.”

Richard Schaefer, Team Canelo

“We knew back in the day when he was 17 years old that Canelo was a superstar in the making. He has God-given talent, and we knew he was special. Through hard work and dedication, he really propelled his career. Today he is the face of boxing and, in my opinion, the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.”

Ingo Volckmann, Scull’s Promoter

“I’m very proud to be here with William Scull. We’re prepared to take advantage of this opportunity against the biggest fighter in boxing. William Scull is a champion as well, and he’s gonna try his best to take the belts.

“Scull is a champion, and he’s trained very well. He has 300 amateur fights in Cuba, and we’ve had so many good rounds in training. I’ve never seen him in such good condition like he is now, so everything is possible.”

The press conference also included WBC Cruiserweight World Champion and three-division champion Badou Jack and WBC Cruiserweight Champion in Recess Noel Mikaelian, ahead of their co-main event clash, plus Mexican star Jaime Munguia and the hard-hitting Bruno Surace, who battle in a hotly anticipated rematch of last year’s The Ring Magazine Upset of the Year, and heavyweight titans Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba, who meet in an explosive 10-round showdown. The full lineup of action begins on DAZN PPV at 6:45 p.m. ET/3:45 p.m. PT.

Badou Jack

“I’ve been in the gym and training hard every day to get back into the ring… It’s been very frustrating, but I always stayed disciplined. Now we’re back like I never left.

“I was preparing for another fighter, but I expect a tougher fight from Mikaelian. We could have picked an easy fight, but we picked him. We needed to face him to get to a unification fight anyway, so I just said, why not?”

Noel Mikaelian

“I am the full world champion. There’s an agenda being pushed, and I’m here to prove that this agenda is just politics. That’s the only reason I’ve been out of the ring, but I’m grateful to be here now.

“I was preparing to fight at the end of May anyway, and when this fight became available, I stepped in. It’s a great opportunity. Jack is a great name, and it’s a pleasure to share the ring with him and put that name on my record.

“I don’t care about short notice. I always find a way, and I’m going to find a way this time as well.”

Jaime Munguia

“I’m delighted to be here and all I can say is that we’re conscious of what we’re going into. I promise everyone a great fight on Saturday.

“In our first fight we went out and committed a grave error of going forward with my hand down. The shot connected, and what happened, happened. But I have no doubt we’ll get my hand raised in the rematch.

“It was a huge change from the last fight, and I’ve adapted a lot now that I’m training with Eddy Reynoso. I believe that I’ve advanced a great deal and developed my style in the way I want. It’s the best camp I’ve ever had.”

Bruno Sarace

“My life has changed since the win and now I’m fighting on this huge card. I know what I have to do to keep going and I’m excited to be fighting Munguia again.

“People talk a lot about luck, but if you know boxing, you know why I’m here again. I’m going to prove that there was no luck.

“This training camp was all about hard work. Munguia is a champion, so I know he’s been training hard too. This is gonna be a massive fight.”

Martin Bakole

“I’m done with the talking and I’m ready to face my opponent on Saturday night…The Joseph Parker fight was not my fight, this here on Saturday is my fight and I’m ready for it.

“No one is scared of him. We’re gonna see what he can do on Saturday. He’s just talking right now.

“I’m asking Ajagba to be tough, because he’s going to get punishment.”

Efe Ajagba

“I’m looking forward to this fight. This is nothing new to me and I can’t wait.

“I was not fully prepared for the Frank Sanchez fight, but this fight is going to be different. I’ve done everything I needed to do to be prepared…I want to bring out the beast in me. I’m going to stick to my game plan and get the victory.

“He keeps talking, but I’m gonna close his mouth.”

Brayan Leon

“Training alongside Canelo has been a tremendous experience. He’s one of the greatest fighters in history and being with him has me feeling very prepared.

“I would describe myself as a strong and aggressive fighter. We’re going to do everything we can to make it seven knockouts on Saturday.”

Marco Verde

“I’m very thankful to Eddy Reynoso, I couldn’t be happier to have this opportunity. I’m gonna take full advantage of it.

“When I started boxing, I knew it was for me and I felt like it was in my blood. I believe that I have a big future in the sport.

“Fans can expect a great fight. We’re both prepared, and I’ve had a great training camp that has me ready for a strong six rounds.”

Mohammed “Mighty Mo” Alakel

“It feels great and I’m always thankful for these opportunities. I’ve been working really hard and hopefully I can put on a great performance for my people.

“I’ve learned a lot from [trainer] Joe Gallagher. He’s helped me stay disciplined in the gym and has shown me what hard work really is. I’m very grateful.

“If you work hard, the sky’s the limit. I’ve been working really hard and that’s the most important thing…I’m going to put on a great performance.”

Richard Riakporhe

“Right now the heavyweight division in the UK is booming. Now is the perfect time for me to be a part of it. There are so many fights to be made, on every single level. That’s why we’re here.

“When I began boxing, I always wanted to be a part of the heavyweight division. I see it as the pinnacle of boxing.

“Not having to cut weight feels like cheating. To be able to fuel myself, I feel like I’m much more energetic, especially during fight week. I’m feeling fantastic.”

Thursday’s event also featured rising Cuban light heavyweight contender Brayan Leon, who squares off against Mexico’s Aaron Rocha Guerreo in a six-round fight, plus 2024 Mexican Olympic Silver Medalist Marco Verde, who competes in a six-round middleweight affair battling Mexico’s Michel Galvan Polina, as well as sensational Saudi prospect Mohammed “Mighty Mo” Alakel, who takes on Alexander Morales in six rounds of featherweight action and veteran contender Richard Riakporhe, who makes his heavyweight debut in an eight-round battle against Kevin Nicolas Espindola.