Canelo Álvarez Crowned Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion at Riyadh Season Title Fight
- SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
- May 5
- 2 min read
Riyadh, May 5, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Mexican boxing icon Canelo Álvarez was crowned the undisputed super middleweight world champion on Sunday after defeating Cuba's William Scull in a highly anticipated title bout held at ANB Arena under the banner of Riyadh Season.
The historic fight was attended by Advisor Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and the Saudi Boxing Federation. Álvarez unified all four major boxing titles—WBO, IBF, WBA, and WBC—in addition to The Ring magazine belt, solidifying his dominance in the super middleweight division and securing his legacy as one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes.
Following his victory, Álvarez faced off with American boxing star Terence Crawford in an electrifying in-ring moment that captivated the audience and confirmed a blockbuster fight scheduled for September 12 in Las Vegas, which is already being dubbed the “Fight of the Century.”
The main event was part of a full card of international bouts showcasing rising talent and established champions across multiple weight divisions:
Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Alakel secured a strong win in the super featherweight division, defeating Mexico’s Alexander Morales.
In the light heavyweight class, Cuba’s Brayan Leon outpointed Mexican Aaron Rocha after six competitive rounds.
Marco Verde of Mexico claimed a first-round knockout over Michel Polina in the middleweight division.
British heavyweight Richard Riakporhe forced Argentina’s Kevin Nicolas Espindola to retire in the fourth round.
A dramatic heavyweight showdown between Congo’s Martin Bakole and Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba ended in a draw, setting the stage for a possible rematch.
Jaime Munguia of Mexico prevailed over Argentina’s Bruno Surace in a rematch that further bolstered his rising profile.
Sweden’s Badou Jack captured the WBC cruiserweight title with a points victory over Armenia’s Noel Mikaelyan after 12 rounds.
This event marked a milestone for Saudi Arabia, representing the first time such a comprehensive boxing championship was held outside the United States or Mexico. It further underscores the Kingdom’s emergence as a global destination for world-class sporting events, in line with its broader Vision 2030 objectives to diversify entertainment, tourism, and sports sectors.