RIAD.- Latin American and early in the morning in Saudi Arabia: In its premiere in the Gulf country, the Mexican Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez Cuban is measured William Scull In an attractive fight this weekend in Riad.
It will be on the night from Saturday to Sunday during the Saudi Arabia, in an evening that adjusts its beginning thinking of the public of America, and where the unification of the titles of the Supermedians will be at stake.
‘Canelo’ holds at their 34 years the CMB, amb and OMB belts of the category. Lost the FIB (International Boxing Federation) When he chose to face the Puerto Rican Edgar Berlanga, whom he won in September in Las Vegas, and not with Scull, who will defend that title in the Riad ring.
Accustomed to fighting in North America, he now expands his geographical horizons after almost twenty years as a professional and for this he has accepted Riyadh Seasons’ lucrative offer for four fighting.
“This is nothing new to me. But for him, it will be different, that sure,” Álvarez said in a challenging tone during Thursday’s press conference to present the fight.
For many, this fight can serve as ‘warm -up’ before the expected pulse between ‘Canelo’ and Terence Crawford later this year, according to the rumors of advanced negotiations about it.
But the first step towards it would be to win on Saturday against a scull that according to experts is far from being defeated in advance.
“It is a fight and I am prepared. Canelo is a great boxer. It will be a hard fight, but he also in a man, like me,” said the 32 -year -old Cuban fighter, who remains undefeated.
‘Canelo’ Álvarez presents, on the other hand, a balance of 62-2-2: he has won 62 fighting (39 of them per KO), has registered two nulls and has lost two. His two defeats went to the points, by arbitration decision, against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013 and against Dmitry Bivol in 2022.
Revancha for Munguía
The Saudi evening will also have another outstanding Mexican boxer, Jaime Munguía, who will have the rematch before the Frenchman Bruno Sureace, also in the supermedia pesos.
The Marsellés gave the surprise last December by winning for KO in the sixth assault on Munguía against his audience in Tijuana.
These stellar boxing evenings, more typical of Las Vegas, are part of the Saudi Arabia strategy of betting on the organization of sporting events in recent years, which has also caused accusations of ‘Sportswashing’ (attempt to wash its international image through sport).
In recent years, automobile, tennis or football events, among others, multiply in that country. In previous boxing evenings it has been common to see several shielding stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, A Nassr player and one of the emblems of the Saudi sports bet.
