Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez once again became undisputed super middleweight champion in Riyadh, as he added the IBF title to his WBC, WBA and WBO crowns with a straightforward points win over William Scull.
Canelo (63-2-2, 39 KOs) was last seen in September last year, where he decked Edgar Berlanga on the way to a wide points win. Scull (23-1, 9 KOs) took advantage of the IBF stripping Alvarez of their title in his most recent outing, winning the belt with a points win over Vladimir Shishkin in his adopted home of Germany.
Alvarez found an early home for his right hand in the opening round, and a sharp combination from the Mexican caught the eye in the second as Scull continuously moved around the ring, trying to look for openings.
The Cuban did pick up the pace with good work to the body, but Alvarez reasserted, shading the fourth and then connecting with his right hook once more in the fifth.
Scull landed with a superb right of his own in the sixth, but the 34-year-old favourite upped the ante to the body in rounds seven and eight, as Scull’s challenge started to fade.
The championship rounds saw little in the way of action, with Scull moving around and not rolling the dice enough to secure the rounds he desperately needed, and the bout went to the scorecards, with an inevitable outcome.
Alvarez became a two-time undisputed champion, winning by scores of 119-109, 116-112 and 115-113 and that set up a September 12 showdown with Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
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Munguia secures Surace revenge
On the undercard, Jaime Munguia gained revenge in an immediate rematch with Bruno Surace, as the Mexican took a points win in their sequel.
Surace (26-1-2, 5 KOs) scored a stunning upset knockout win in their original meeting, but this time Munguia (45-2, 35 KOs) ran out the winner, as two scores of 117-111 and a third at 116-112 ensured he had his hand raised.
Jack sees off Mikaeljan
Badou Jack (29-3-3, 17 KOs) defended his WBC cruiserweight world title, taking a majority decision win against Norair Mikaeljan (27-3, 12 KOs).
In a close contest, one judge scored the bout a 114-114 draw, but two tallies of 115-113 in Jack’s favour meant he went home with the belt.
Bakole-Ajagba held to draw
In a heavyweight ten rounder, Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba couldn’t be separated, as they fought to a majority draw.
Ajagba (20-1-1, 14 KOs) did receive one verdict of 96-94, but the remaining judges scored the fight 95-95, and the pair will likely have to run their clash back later in the year.
Bakole (21-2-1, 16 KOs) was coming off a second round loss to Joseph Parker in February, a bout he took on just 48 hours’ notice.
Remaining Undercard
Richard Riakporhe (18-1, 14 KOs) quietly moved up to heavyweight, and the former cruiserweight world title challenger recorded a fourth round stoppage win against Kevin Nicolas Espindola (9-10, 4 KOs).
At light heavyweight, Brayan Leon (7-0, 6 KOs) scored a knockdown, but then had to settle for a points win over six against Aaron Rocha Guerrero (11-4-1, 7 KOs), and 2024 Olympic Silver medalist, Marco Verde (1-0, 1 KO) debuted with a first round stoppage of Michel Galvan Polina (4-6-3, 2 KOs) in their middleweight clash.
Lightweight prospect, Mohammed Alakel (4-0) won all six rounds against Alexander Morales (6-14-5, 2 KOs).
