What are the best bets?
JUST 24 hours after Times Square hosts its first-ever boxing event, the sport’s new capital, Riyadh, takes centre stage.
Four-weight world champion and super-middleweight king Canelo Alvarez makes his Middle East debut, defending his three 168lb titles against IBF title holder William Scull. One of Mexico’s greatest fighters aims to cement his legacy by becoming a two-time undisputed champion while Scull looks to shock the world
Ahead of the action, Boxing News breaks down the odds and top bets for the main event and undercard, in association with bet365.
A foregone conclusion?
At odds of 1/33, Canelo Alvarez is a near-certain favorite to defeat William Scull and reclaim the undisputed super-middleweight championship on May 3. The 34-year-old Mexican star is rarely anything less than an odds-on favourite, having lost only once in his last 10 fights—to Dmitry Bivol at light-heavyweight in 2022. Canelo’s last encounter with a Cuban opponent was in 2014 against Erislandy Lara, a challenging fight he won by split decision during his super-welterweight days.
William Scull, priced at 14/1, faces a daunting task to deliver the upset of the year. The 32-year-old Cuban, with an extensive amateur background, showcases strong boxing IQ, exceptional movement, and precise footwork. However, his unanimous decision victory over Vladimir Shishkin to claim the IBF title in October 2024 was neither particularly eye-catching nor sufficient to establish him as a serious threat at 168 pounds. For Scull to achieve the unthinkable, Canelo would need an off night, and Scull would have to rely on constant movement and pot-shotting to counter Canelo’s ability to cut off the ring and land devastating body shots.
Canelo has not secured a stoppage victory since his 11th-round TKO of Caleb Plant in November 2021. In his seventh fight since that win, he has a strong opportunity to end this bout early. Bet365 odds list Canelo at 8/15 to win by KO, TKO, or DQ, while the fight going under 10.5 rounds is priced at 4/5. Fans backing Canelo should feel confident in these options.
On the undercard, an intriguing clash features WBC cruiserweight champion Badou Jack (1/1) against Norair Mikaeljan (10/13). Jack, a seasoned veteran, has a chance to retain his title by decision at 21/10 odds, a compelling option in Bet365’s Bet Builder.
