‘The Fall of the King’: William Scull shocks Canelo Álvarez to claim the undisputed throne in a historic upset.
In a seismic shift for boxing, William Scull, the unheralded Cuban challenger, stunned the world by defeating Saul “Canelo” Álvarez via unanimous decision on May 3, 2025, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ending Canelo’s reign as the super-middleweight king. Dubbed “La Caída del Rey” by fans and media, the upset stripped Canelo of his WBA, WBC, and WBO titles, while Scull added them to his IBF belt, becoming the undisputed champion at 168 pounds. This victory, celebrated as the dawn of a Cuban boxing legend, has reshaped the sport’s landscape and sparked fierce debate about Canelo’s future.
Canelo, a -3000 favorite per CBS Sports, entered with a 62-2-2 record, aiming to reclaim the IBF title he lost in 2024 for dodging Scull. The 34-year-old Mexican icon, fighting in Saudi Arabia for the first time under a four-fight Riyadh Season deal, faced a 32-year-old Scull, who boasted a 23-0 record but lacked elite opponents. Scull, ranked No. 8 by ESPN, was a +1400 underdog, yet his technical brilliance and relentless movement outmaneuvered Canelo over 12 rounds. Scorecards read 116-112, 115-113, and 117-111 for Scull, per Al Jazeera, as he landed 293 punches to Canelo’s 152, per CompuBox—the lowest output in a 12-round fight in 40 years.
Scull’s game plan was masterful. Trained in Germany and seasoned by 350 amateur bouts, he frustrated Canelo with lateral movement and sharp jabs, avoiding the Mexican’s power shots. “I came to win, not survive,” Scull declared post-fight, per Infobae, countering Canelo’s claim that he “ran” to avoid engagement. Canelo, visibly sluggish, struggled to cut the ring, a rarity for the counterpunching maestro. Fans on X, like @ecamarena1, called the fight “monotonous,” blaming Canelo’s lack of speed, while @noeeduardo22 praised Scull’s footwork and conditioning, noting he faced “a brand, not just a boxer.” The close 115-113 scorecard sparked controversy, with @heyitsmarcosv questioning its validity, but Scull’s dominance in later rounds sealed the historic upset.
The fallout was immediate. Canelo, now 62-3-2, faced his first loss since Dmitry Bivol in 2022, derailing a planned September 2025 mega-fight with Terence Crawford. @JuanPabloFdz on X labeled it “the start of Canelo’s decline,” citing his inability to land meaningful punches. Scull, now 24-0, emerged as Cuba’s new boxing hero, his story echoing the island’s storied pugilistic past. Having lived in Argentina and fought out of Germany, Scull’s journey from obscurity to undisputed champion captivated fans. @TheLokiLad hailed him as “the new king,” while @CadenaRadioMx called Canelo’s performance “lackluster.” The fight, part of a $400 million Riyadh Season deal per TUDN, drew only 6,000 spectators, per Yahoo Sports, amplifying criticism of its $59.99 DAZN PPV price.
Scull’s win reshapes boxing’s hierarchy. His IBF title defense, earned against Vladimir Shishkin in 2024, proved his mettle, but toppling Canelo—a $275 million Forbes-valued star—elevates him to global stardom. Analysts, per Marca, see Scull as a “technical marvel,” with his 73-inch reach and orthodox stance outclassing Canelo’s 70.5-inch frame. The undercard, including Jaime Munguia’s win over Bruno Surace and Badou Jack’s cruiserweight title defense, faded in the shadow of Scull’s triumph. As Canelo vows a rematch, per ESPN, and Scull eyes bouts against Chris Eubank Jr. or David Benavidez, boxing braces for a new era. “El Indomable” has dethroned the king, and his legend is just beginning.
