Riyadh Season deserves serious commendation. In the span of just one week, they’ve lined up not one, not two, but three major boxing events for fans worldwide. After last week’s electrifying showdown between Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn, this weekend brings another stacked lineup: first, the May 2 clash between Ryan Garcia and Rolando Romero, followed by the highly anticipated Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull bout in Riyadh.

Of the three, the Alvarez-Scull encounter has arguably been the quietest in terms of media buzz. Is that because many fans and pundits believe the outcome is a foregone conclusion? Perhaps. Yet, given its potential impact on the super middleweight division, this fight still holds a critical place on the 2024 boxing calendar. So let’s see how Canelo and Scull match up.

Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull: stats, record, and prediction

Canelo begins his four-fight deal with Riyadh Season by taking on William Scull on May 3. This bout marks his first step toward reclaiming undisputed status. He lost the honor somewhat indirectly when Scull was elevated to full IBF champion last year. Four months from now, Canelo is scheduled to face Terence Crawford in what promises to be a historic clash.

To meet Crawford as the reigning undisputed champion would not only boost the event’s significance but also reinforce Canelo’s legacy. On the other hand, should Crawford win, he could become boxing’s first-ever three-division undisputed champion. So that’s what’s on the line here.

Calling the Canelo-Scull matchup a mismatch might be putting it mildly. How often do you see a multi-division world champion, pound-for-pound elite, and future Hall of Famer go up against a relatively unknown 32-year-old making his first significant title defense?

Yet, this is the reality. A veteran of 66 professional bouts, Canelo Alvarez is among modern boxing’s most accomplished figures. With 39 knockouts from 62 victories, he carries an impressive 63% KO rate. While his record includes a few blemishes, they came against legendary fighters like Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol. The defeats arguably did more to sharpen his game than diminish his standing.

In contrast, William Scull has been competing professionally for just eight years. Though undefeated at 23-0, he has only managed nine knockouts, yielding a modest 39% KO rate. On paper and in the ring, Canelo’s edge in experience, quality of opposition, and finishing ability is undeniable.

Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull: Height, Weight, Reach Comparison, and More

Though details on Scull’s reach are limited, he appears to have a height advantage over the unified super middleweight champion. Scull stands at 5 feet 11½ inches (182 cm), nearly four inches taller than Canelo’s 5 feet 7½ inches (171.5 cm). Canelo, however, boasts a reach of 70½ inches (179 cm), which could help neutralize the height gap.

With official weigh-ins still pending, past data offers some insight. Canelo last weighed in at 167.8 pounds for his bout against Edgar Berlanga in September 2024. Scull, in his October fight against Vladimir Shishkin, reportedly made the 168-pound super middleweight limit, though exact figures are unconfirmed.

Bookmakers give Canelo overwhelming odds, close to 91% to win, and it’s not hard to see why. The Mexican superstar brings not just talent and experience but also momentum and legacy aspirations. Still, for those who believe in miracles, Scull represents the classic underdog story. A win for him would be one of the sport’s biggest upsets in recent years.

So, what do you think? Can Scull pull off the unthinkable and derail Canelo’s path to undisputed glory?