Canelo Alvarez targets second undisputed reign
Canelo Alvarez faces William Scull in Riyadh to reclaim the IBF title and secure a second undisputed super middleweight reign. Meanwhile, David Benavidez nears a cruiserweight unification agreement against Noel Mikaelian to consolidate his titles.
The Riyadh showdown
Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2) fights William Scull (23-0) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to reclaim the IBF title. This Sunday fight at 6 a.m. local time makes Alvarez an undisputed super middleweight champion for a second time. Alvarez, who is 34, faces a 32-year-old Scull. Scull lives in Germany after leaving Cuba 23 years ago. I think the decision to schedule a main event ringwalk for 6 a.m. shows a blatant disregard for the sleep schedules of the boxing audience.
BetMGM Sportsbook lists Alvarez as a -5000 favorite. The sportsbook also lists him at -200 to win by knockout, which would be the 40th knockout of his career. Alvarez, who is part of a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season, traveled to the Saudi Arabian desert three weeks ago to adjust to the triple-digit temperatures. His trainer, Eddy Reynoso, says Alvarez can adjust to any timetable because he is a disciplined champion. While Canelo prepares in the desert heat of Riyadh, William Scull looks to capitalize on a sudden opportunity that comes after he was elevated to the IBF championship following Canelo’s previous refusal to fight him.
Scull, who has fought in 24 countries, hopes to make a name for himself beyond hard-core boxing fans. He thanked Team Canelo for accepting the fight, though he understands few expect him to be competitive. Canelo told reporters he wants to send a message that he is there for more than just money. Scull aims to move closer to Canelo status.
Benavidez approaches unification
David Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) nears a cruiserweight unification agreement against Noel Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KOs). Mikaelian holds the WBC cruiserweight title after a unanimous decision victory over Badou Jack in December 2025. A win for Benavidez would give him the WBC belt alongside the WBA and WBO titles he already holds. Benavidez, known as "Red Flag," fought David Morrell Jr at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on February 1, 2025. This event, organized by Premier Boxing Champions, featured Morrell, an 11-0 fighter with 9 knockouts, who previously held the WBA 168-pound title.
Benavidez also maintains his 175 lb title status because the WBC approved his petition to compete in the cruiserweight division. Mikaelian has only one fight since November 2023, when he defeated Badou Jack to regain his title. He must eventually face mandatory challengers Michal Cieslak and Ryan Rozicki. Benavidez has a much larger mainstream profile than Mikaelian. Benavidez’s upcoming fight involves a promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, who expects Don King to sign the agreement for Mikaelian. You already know Benavidez’s dominance in the lower weight classes. Can Benavidez manage to unify the cruiserweight division while maintaining his status at 175 lbs?
Shifting divisional hierarchies
The super middleweight and cruiserweight divisions face shifting hierarchies this month. Canelo aims to finish his business in Riyadh and move toward his next scheduled bouts. Scull expects the fight to be different once they enter the ring. Scull has traveled to 24 different countries during his career. The WBC status for other divisions shows constant movement, such as Christian Mbilli’s promotion to full WBC world champion following the 63rd Annual WBC Convention held in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 3, 2025.
The IBF title in the cruiserweight division remains vacant after Jai Opetaia was stripped earlier this year. Benavidez has discussed moving to heavyweight to fight Moses Itauma. Mikaelian remains a much less prominent figure than Benavidez or Opetaia. The division’s top hierarchy remains in flux. In the 130 lb division, Shakur Stevenson was granted permission to fight above the weight limit, but the WBC Board will review the matter separately due to his lack of response to inquiries.
