A Night to Remember: Canelo Alvarez’s Global Stage vs. William Scull
When Canelo Alvarez steps into the ring at Riyadh's ANB Arena on May 3, 2025, it won’t just be another title defense. This Saturday night marks his first time fighting outside North America, and the buzz in Saudi Arabia is unlike anything you get in Las Vegas or Dallas. He’s defending his WBC, WBA, and WBO titles—but there’s more on the line. If he beats Cuba's undefeated William Scull, he’ll walk away as the undisputed king at 168 pounds, clinching all four major belts.
Don’t expect an early night. The ring walks for this headline bout are scheduled for around 11:00 PM ET, and fans everywhere are marking their calendars. For Scull, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime shot: nobody has handed him a single loss in 23 pro fights, and he’s risking his IBF title and that perfect record.
Odds, Undercard, and Expert Takes: What to Watch on Fight Night
If you’re thinking of betting, the odds are tough to ignore. Canelo’s sitting pretty as a massive -3000 favorite, while Scull trails as a +1400 underdog. The oddsmakers don’t expect a quick finish, either—over/under is set at 9.5 rounds. Plenty of folks in the know are eyeing the distance.
You won’t just get one high-stakes fight. The undercard’s loaded with names that could headline on their own.
- Badou Jack and Norair Mikaeljan square off for the WBC cruiserweight belt—a nice blend of raw power and experience.
- Heavyweights Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba bring knockout potential and a bit of bad blood, sure to get the crowd on its feet.
- And keep an eye on Jaime Munguía, who takes on Bruno Surace in a super middleweight showdown that could shuffle the contenders’ deck at 168 lbs.
Now, if you’re searching for a betting edge, SportsLine’s Josh Nagel has a track record for bold but spot-on calls, like nailing upsets in Bivol-Beterbiev II and Ennis-Stanionis. For this card, he’s betting on the over 9.5 rounds and likes the odds for the bout going the distance at +166. He isn’t buying a sudden knockout, which tells you something about Scull’s toughness—this might not be the walkover some expect.
With fight night closing in, Riyadh is already buzzing. You’ve got a superstar eyeing immortality, an unbeaten Cuban swinging for history, and an undercard packed with just as much intrigue. Whether you’re a die-hard or casual fan, this is the kind of event that gets talked about for years.
