Boxing
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs William Scull preview
The ANB Arena in Riyadh plays host to an important fight in the super middleweight division, as Canelo Alvarez faces William Scull.
Bet on the Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull fight
The event
This is a historic fight in many respects, it’s Canelo Alvarez’s first bout in the growing boxing sphere in Saudi Arabia, with the promotion headed by Riyadh Season. As it’s Cinco de Mayo weekend, the bout also has a significance to Canelo with his Mexican heritage, as well as being a weekend where we often see a big boxing fight staged.
The fighters
Canelo Alvarez is, unsurprisingly, the overwhelming favourite at 1/33, entering the fight with a record of 62-2-2, holding the WBA, WBC, WBO and ‘The Ring’ super middleweight titles. He’s best known for his outstanding defensive abilities in the ring, mixed with devastating power. He showcased these abilities in his most recent bout against Edgar Berlanga, a decisive victory by unanimous decision.
William Scull, on the other hand, enters the fight as a heavy underdog at 12/1, however cannot be written off – stranger things have happened in the ring. The Cuban is the current holder of the IBF title, after defeating Vladimir Shishkin. A technically sound fighter in his own right, this is his chance to make a real splash at the top level as he takes on one of the best boxers we have ever seen in Alvarez.
Prediction and bets for the fight
It’s very difficult to see past Canelo. His superior movement, punching power and counter-punching abilities make him a serious threat to proceedings here, and Scull looks under pressure.
Whilst Scull is the taller, longer fighter, Canelo has shown he can handle these types of fighters in previous fights, and it’s likely he will employ similar tactics of growing into the fight before increasing the tempo in the later rounds.
If Scull is to have any chance, his plan must be flawless and delivered to perfection. He is at his best when putting his jab to good use and keeping his opponent at arm’s length. He must utilise the footwork to create angles to try and pick apart the defence of Alvarez. A stoppage looks unlikely due to the fact he only stopped his opponent nine times in his 23 victories. That said, he is still unbeaten in his professional career, something Canelo isn’t – what a victory it would be to deliver a 24th win and stay unbeaten against the best of the best in Alvarez.
If he is successful, he’ll have to do it the dirty way using his reach to fend off Canelo’s attacks, clinching when the fight gets close to edge rounds and get a decision. A seriously tall order over 12 rounds against one of the best we have ever seen.
At an extremely short price, there’s no value in backing Alvarez, but it could be worth looking at some round-specific victory markets. As discussed, Scull has to frustrate and drag the fight out if he’s to get anything out of the bout and with Canelo a fighter who usually warms up as the fight progresses, the value may lie in some late round victory betting. Saul Alvarez to win in Rounds 7-9 at 3/1 looks a solid betting option.
