Canelo Alvarez Reclaims Undisputed Title in Controversial Win, Eyes Terence Crawford Superfight
In a night that left fans both frustrated and electrified, Canelo Alvarez returned to the top of the super middleweight world by defeating William Scull on May 3, 2025. While the victory secured Canelo's undisputed status once again, it was the lackluster action and a looming superfight announcement that truly captured global attention.
A Fight That Fell Flat
Held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the bout ended in a unanimous decision win for Canelo Alvarez with judge scores of 115–113, 116–112, and an eyebrow-raising 119–109. Despite the clear win on paper, both fans and analysts were disappointed by the fight's slow pace and minimal exchanges.
Even Canelo himself expressed dissatisfaction:
"I hate those kind of fighters... it was a boring fight. I hope September comes another kind of fight."
This brutally honest quote from the champion, provided in a CBS Sports interview, echoed the sentiments of millions of fans who tuned in hoping for fireworks but were instead given 12 rounds of cautious footwork and clinches.
Past Shadows, New Reign
Canelo's win marks his return as undisputed super middleweight champion — a status he first achieved in 2021. However, his previous reign ended controversially when he was stripped of the IBF title for opting to fight Edgar Berlanga instead of mandatory challenger William Scull.
Friday night's win not only avenged that organizational slight, but also reestablished his dominance at 168 pounds.
September Superfight: Canelo vs Crawford
Less than 24 hours after the victory, promotional teams officially confirmed what fans had only dared to dream: Canelo Alvarez will face Terence Crawford on September 12, 2025, in Las Vegas.
The potential for greatness in this bout has fans buzzing. Both men are multiple-weight world champions and among the most respected pound-for-pound fighters in boxing today. For many, this matchup is the pièce de résistance of Canelo’s legendary career.
Scoring Controversy and Fan Reactions
Despite the win, the most debated part of the night was judge’s 119–109 scorecard, which many deemed far too generous. The online boxing community exploded with critiques about the scoring, suggesting it downplayed Scull's efforts and perpetuated bias in big-money fights.
Others turned their attention to the lack of ring drama. The term "boring" trended across social platforms, as even Canelo expressed fatigue over fighters who, in his words, "don't come to fight".
What's Next?
The table is now set for what could be one of the most significant fights in modern boxing. As Canelo gears up to meet Terence Crawford, fans hope the September bout delivers the action, adrenaline, and legacy moments they missed this weekend.
Catch full coverage and analysis on ESPN and CBS Sports.
Conclusion
✔️ Canelo Alvarez officially regains his undisputed title in a frustrating but strategic win
✔️ All eyes now shift to his September showdown with Terence Crawford — a fight promising legacy-defining stakes and the fireworks fans are craving
