Canelo Alvarez Defeats William Scull Amid Controversy Over Performance

Canelo Alvarez's recent unanimous decision victory over William Scull in Saudi Arabia solidified his status as the undisputed super middleweight champion for the second time, but the fight drew widespread criticism for its lack of action and excitement. Oscar De La Hoya, among others, expressed frustration with both Alvarez and Scull, faulting Alvarez for choosing a defensively minded opponent and Scull for failing to engage offensively. The bout set a CompuBox record for the fewest combined punches thrown in a 12-round fight, fueling debate about defensive strategies in boxing. Scull argued that his evasive approach demonstrated skill and questioned the fairness of the judges' decision, while Canelo countered that such tactics do not win fights and accused Scull of merely trying to survive rather than compete. Critics also suggested that high guaranteed purses, such as those provided by Turki Alalshikh, may be reducing fighters' motivation to deliver entertaining performances. Looking ahead, Alvarez is set to face Terence Crawford, but some, including De La Hoya, have called for him to take on more challenging opponents like David Benavidez.