‘Pure trash’: Boxing world savages Canelo Alvarez’s title fight

Boxing fans have been left seeing red after a world title fight turned into a joke of a contest as both men failed to fire a shot.

Canelo Alvarez may be one of the biggest names in boxing, but the Mexican superstar found himself under fire on Sunday.

The 34-year-old became the Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion of the World after securing the unanimous decision victory against William Scull in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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The previously undefeated Scull showed little interest in engaging with his rival as Alvarez tracked him around the ring throughout 12 rounds.

Scull threw almost double the amount of punches, 293 to Alvarez’s 152, and landed 22 power shots to the head, compared to receiving just eight.

You can watch the highlights of the fight in the video player above

Alvarez’s 152 thrown punches were the 2nd fewest in a 12-round fight in CompuBox’s 40-year history.

Despite that he won convincingly with all three judges scoring it in his favour (119-109, 115-113 and 116-12).

You can’t catch me. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

The bout however was met with fierce criticism from those who tuned in and sat through the excruciating 12-round affair.

CODE Sports’ Brendan Bradford wrote: “118-110 Canelo, but we’re all losers for watching tbh.”

Boxing journalist Dan Rafael wrote: “Scull should have his license revoked for refusing to fight or even box legitimately. Pure trash fight. And Canelo didn’t do all much either but won basically every round. I am pissed off I watched that.”

One DAZN commentator stated: “A classic confrontation, this was not”.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 03: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and William Scull (L-R) on the Fatal Fury City of Wolves card at ANB Arena on May 03, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Thankfully boxing fans did receive some big news following the fight with Alvarez’s next fight locked in.

The Mexican superstar will lock horns with American superstar Terence Crawford in a bout already being dubbed as ‘the fight of the century’.

Crawford, who sat ringside, stepped into the ring post-fight to confirm the bout before coming face-to-face with Alvarez.

The two will meet on September 12 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Crawford vs Alvarez set for September

Alvarez said the bout against Scull was a boring affair, something that won’t take place when he squares off with Crawford.

“I don’t like to fight those kinds of guys,” Alvarez said.

“They came to just survive to the final round. That’s why I don’t like to fight them. It won’t be that kind of fight (against Crawford). I hate that kind of fight. He moved even more than we thought. But it’s OK. We won. We’re here.”

Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull full card results

Canelo Alvarez (c) def. William Scull (c) via unanimous decision for the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO, and Ring super middleweight titles (115-113, 116-112, 119-109)

Badou Jack (c) def. Norair Mikaeljan via majority decision for the WBC cruiserweight title (114-114, 115-113, 115-113)

Jaime Munguia def. Bruno Surace via unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111, 117-111)

Martin Bakole vs. Efe Ajagba ends in a majority draw (96-94 Ajagba, 95-95, 95-95)

Brayan Leon def. Aaron Rocha Guerrero via points (60-54)

Richard Riakporhe def. Kevin Espindola via TKO (end of round four)

Marco Verde def. Michel Polina via TKO (1:34 into round one)

Mohammed Alakel def. Alexander Morales via points (60-54)

Originally published as ‘Pure trash’: Boxing world savages Canelo Alvarez’s title fight