Results From Riyadh: Canelo Defeats Scull

Boxing superstar and global icon Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez recaptured the Undisputed Super Middleweight Championship with a unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten world champion William Scull as Álvarez made his Riyadh Season debut Saturday night headlining a DAZN PPV from anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of Riyadh Season.

The four-division world champion and future Hall of Famer Álvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs), who was recently appointed as a Riyadh Season ambassador, showed the patience that’s made him a legendary champion, as Scull (23-1, 9 KOs) largely circled the ring and looked for counters and opportunities on the outside. Scull was busier with his punch output, throwing 141 more shots than Álvarez, according to CompuBox Stats, but only landed one more punch and was unable to score anything of significance.

"He wasn't trying to win,” said Álvarez. “He was just trying to survive, and I hate those kinds of fighters. He moved even more than I thought, but it's okay. We won, and we're grateful to fight here in Saudi Arabia.”

Álvarez showed off his defensive mastery throughout the 12 rounds and found success attacking the body, connecting on 40 power shots to the area. Fighting for the first time outside of North America, Álvarez overcame the time difference to become the undisputed super middleweight champion for the second time, taking home the decision by scores of 119-109, 116-112, and 115-113.

After the tallies were announced, pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford entered the ring to face off with Álvarez before their announced mega-showdown in September.

"I feel great about this fight in September,” said Álvarez. “Crawford is one of the best out there, and I like to share the ring with those kinds of fighters. It's my pleasure... Everybody is asking for the fight, and that's why we're here."

"I'm feeling blessed and like everything has happened for a reason,” said Crawford. “In September I'll show the world what greatness looks like... I'm the best, that's why everyone is gonna come watch on September 12."

In the co-main event, WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Badou Jack (29-3-3, 17 KOs) retained his title by majority decision over former champion Noel Mikaelian (27-3, 12 KOs), winning a nip-and-tuck fight that saw both men have strong moments before ultimately going to Jack by scores of 115-113 twice and 114-114.

Each fighter entered the contest with a claim to the WBC 200-pound crown (Mikaelian held the title of champion in recess) and combined to present an intriguing showdown of Jack’s body work (52 body shots landed) and clean power punching against the activity of Mikaelian (670 punches thrown to 369).

Taking the fight on less than a month’s notice, Mikaelian was targeted frequently to the body and appeared to get the worse of the many exchanges that took place on the inside and in the clinch. Throughout the middle rounds, Jack appeared to hurt Mikaelian several times before Mikaelian was able to turn the ship around and finish the fight strong, including landing several big right hands in the final frame.

The round-by-round stats also reflected the close nature of the fight, with Jack and Mikaelian being separated by four or fewer punches in nine of the 12 rounds. Known for being in close fights throughout a career that’s seen him win titles at three weight classes, this was Jack’s eighth fight that was either a split or majority decision.

In a rematch of last year’s The Ring Magazine Upset of the Year, Mexican star Jaime Munguia (45-2, 35 KOs) showed improved boxing acumen, combined with his trademark power-punching ability, to avenge his loss against Bruno Surace (26-1-2, 5 KOs) via unanimous decision (117-111 twice, 116-112) after 12 rounds in the super middleweight division.

"It was really important for me to come back from the loss,” said Munguia. “Most importantly, we've been working on our mentality and making sure we're focused on that. I was able to show that Jaime Munguia is here to stay.”

After losing the first fight by one-punch knockout, Munguia, in his first fight with trainer Eddy Reynoso, fought more cautiously than usual for the first half of the fight, carefully picking his punches instead of implementing his usual forward-charging tenor. During those early rounds, Surace looked sharp with the right hand that ended the first fight, as he connected frequently while trying to set up his timing for a repeat knockout.

"This fight was about being calm and understanding the distance,” said Munguia. “He was looking for me to make a mistake so he could land that overhand right. I'm really grateful for the work of Eddy Reynoso.”

Halfway through the fight, Munguia began to find his offense and increased his activity, with a focus on targeting Surace’s body, as he bested the Frenchman 51 to 10 to the midsection. That activity led Munguia to outland Surace in seven of the final eight frames, racking up a 105-64 edge in connected punches.

In his post-fight interview, Munguia set his sights on the best in the super middleweight division and predicted even more success for his partnership with Reynoso.

"There's no doubt it was great to have Eddy Reynoso in my corner and train alongside Canelo,” said Munguia. “We're really happy with the way we're progressing. We're going to continue to gel and continue to grow and go on to do bigger and better things… We're ready for anybody at 168 pounds."

Opening up the main card, heavyweight titans Martin Bakole (21-2-1, 16 KOs) and Efe Ajagba (20-1-1, 14 KOs) battled to a majority draw after 10 grueling rounds. One score of 96-94 for Ajagba was overruled by two 95-95 tallies.

“I won the fight,” said Ajagba. “It’s not for me to decide. It’s the judges who score the fight. Inside of me, I know I won the fight.”

The battle was a contrast between the more fleet-footed Ajagba’s jab and movement against the brute strength and combo punching prowess of Bakole. Ajagba had early success in the bout, delivering chopping right hands off the jab to Bakole’s head.

“Ajagba probably knows I was struggling to lose weight and that’s why he was moving a lot,” said Bakole, who lost a February bout against Joseph Parker taken on extremely short notice. “Martin Bakole with a full camp, I don’t think it goes 10 rounds.”

In round four, Bakole used his strength to close the distance and cornered Ajagba, pelting him with snapping left hooks that left Ajagba dazed. After appearing to gain the momentum, Bakole allowed Ajagba to return to his movement in round five as the fight teetered back and forth.

Bakole closed strong, finally wearing Ajagba down and slowing his movement to get back into the fight and earn the draw. After a bout that saw Ajagba outland Bakole at a 190 to 145 clip and land 52% of his power punches, both fighters called for a rematch to settle the score.

“I thought I came here and won the fight,” said Bakole. “It is what it is. I want the rematch with a full camp.”

“My game plan was to show my footwork,” said Ajagba. “I got tired, and I have to keep going and put on the pressure. I was just trying to work off my jab… I want the rematch for sure.”

The Eddy Reynoso-trained light heavyweight prospect Brayan Leon (7-0, 6 KOs) went the distance for the first time, riding a vicious fourth-round knockdown to a points victory (60-54) over Aaron Rocha Guerrero (11-4-1, 7 KOs) in their six-round light heavyweight affair.

Veteran UK contender Richard Riakphore (18-1, 13 KOs) announced his arrival in the heavyweight division by delivering a series of hard body shots to Kevin Nicolas Espindola (9-10, 4 KOs) that forced his opponent to take a knee in round four, before retiring in his corner between rounds.

The pro debut of 2024 Mexican Olympic Silver Medalist Marco Verde (1-0, 1 KO) saw the prodigious talent from Mazatlan wipe out Michel Galvan Polina (6-12-5, 2 KOs) in round one, dropping him twice with body shots before a final flurry forced the stoppage by referee Bob Williams 1:34 into the round.

Kicking off the historic night was sensational Saudi prospect Mohammed “Mighty Mo” Alakel (4-0), who dominated across six super featherweight rounds against Alexander Morales (6-14-5, 2 KOs), earning a 60-54 points victory.