What was expected to be a major night for boxing ended in disappointment.
Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez secured a unanimous decision victory over Cuban fighter William Scull in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reclaiming his status as the undisputed super middleweight champion.
However, the bout raised more questions than answers and triggered a wave of criticism from fans, experts, and prominent figures in the boxing world.
One of the first to react was Jake Paul, the controversial boxer and content creator who has been linked to a potential future fight with the Mexican star.
On his X account, Paul didn’t hold back, calling the fight “embarrassing”—a sentiment that echoed the general disappointment felt by viewers over the lackluster performance in the ring.
Outrage in the boxing world over the disappointing Canelo vs. Scull showdown
Although Paul didn’t specify who his criticism was aimed at, many interpreted it as disapproval of both Scull’s defensive strategy and Canelo’s failure to deliver a dominant performance.
Another prominent voice who expressed frustration was legendary former champion Julio César Chávez.
Speaking during the TV Azteca broadcast, the Mexican icon didn’t mince words, openly expressing his anger and making it clear the fight had fallen short of expectations for a headline event on Saudi soil.
American boxer Claressa Shields also weighed in, though with a more technical take. P
osting on social media, she highlighted William Scull’s defensive skills: “Not gonna lie! Scull’s defense has been flawless! Canelo keeps trying to land a clean shot and keeps missing!” she wrote.
The announcement that saved the night: Canelo vs. Terence Crawford
The most celebrated moment of the evening came after the fight, when Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, stepped into the ring to confirm what many had been anticipating: a showdown between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford.
Scheduled for September 12 in Las Vegas, the bout will be for the undisputed super middleweight title and is expected to generate the kind of excitement that the Scull fight failed to deliver.
