CANELO Alvarez and William Scull shared the stage at New York’s Radio City Music Hall to promote their four-belt clash in Saudi Arabia on May 3.
Two of the main talking points were Canelo’s first step outside of North America and the fact that reclaiming the IBF belt from Scull would mean a return to undisputed status for the pound-for-pound star.
“It´s going to be a difficult fight against a complicated style of boxing like the Cuban style. I’m going to try my best to hurt my opponent on May 3,” said the 168-pound king.
His coach Eddy Reynoso also tried to build in some jeopardy by referencing Scull’s Cuban heritage: “We are going to be up against the Cuban school of boxing, which is among the best in the world, and a World Champion. We respect both Scull and his team very much,” Reynoso added.
None of the narratives attached to this fight are particularly appealing. Canelo has already been undisputed king and gave up (or was stripped of) the IBF title that Scull, 23-0 (9 KOs), won in a debatable decision over Vladimir Shishkin in October.
Canelo’s claim of making history is genuine but hollow. Scull offers little threat and they all know it. Indeed, the most interesting aspect of Scull is his size when the pair stood side-by-side for photographs. Dragging up the memories of Erislandy Lara, who led the Mexican a merry dance back in 2014, doesn’t wash.
Tricky or not, Scull is no Lara. As and when Canelo, 62-2-2 (39 KOs), gets past this latest challenge, an inflated Terence Crawford waits in the wings for September.
“I’m not thinking about September. I’m 100% focused on Scull for May 3,” stated Canelo.
“Fighting in Saudi Arabia is something new for me, but I’m ready to fight anywhere because Canelo’s territory is everywhere worldwide.”
With a career spent between Mexico and the United States, fighting in Saudi is a novel new experience, as boxing’s chief paymaster, Turki Al-Alshikh, finally lured one of the remaining dissenters over to his playden.
And it comes at a time when Canelo’s presence is required in America. Las Vegas, to be precise, where David Benavidez was last seen pounding a more bonafide Cuban (David Morrell) over 12 rounds. Canelo’s ego guides him and he is not the kind of character who likes being told what to do.
If His Excellency wants to leave a lasting legacy in boxing, as he claims, then finalising undisputed straighteners at heavyweight (Usyk-Fury) and light-heavyweight (Bivol-Beterbiev) have validated that.
With all the talk of lucrative three and four fight deals for Canelo he must use his deep pockets and increasingly brazen nudge tactics to break bread with the PBC, snare the Jalisco puncher and refuse to let him loose until he’s fulfilled his obligations as one of boxing’s premier operators. In Saudi Arabia, the US or wherever a ring can be constructed.
