Get to know about the betting odds, predictions and picks for the upcoming Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull showdown!
Boxing fans are in for a treat this weekend as Canelo Alvarez returns to the ring against rising star William Scull. The fight goes down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 3rd. It’s another big night for boxing in the Middle East as Saudi money continues to attract major fights to the kingdom.
Canelo remains boxing’s biggest star despite some critics saying he is slowing down. The Mexican legend has dominated the super middleweight division for years. His opponent Scull brings an undefeated record but faces a massive step up in competition. The Cuban fighter earned his shot by defeating Vladimir Shishkin for the IBF belt. Now he enters the biggest fight of his career as a massive underdog against boxing royalty.
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The oddsmakers aren’t giving Scull much of a chance in this one. According to DraftKings, Canelo sits as a whopping -4000 favorite. That means you would need to bet $4000 just to win $100 on an Alvarez victory. Pretty terrible value to be honest. Scull, meanwhile, comes in as a +1500 underdog. A $100 bet on the Cuban fighter would return a sweet $1,600 if he pulls off the upset.
Canelo Alvarez faces off with William Scull as he aims to win his 63rd pro fight tomorrow in Saudi Arabia 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9zGBlYplY4
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) May 2, 2025
These lopsided odds tell the story of experience versus potential. Canelo has faced and beaten nearly every elite fighter around his weight class. His resume includes wins over Golovkin, Plant, and Saunders. Scull simply hasn’t been tested at this level. While his perfect 23-0 record looks impressive on paper, the quality of opposition doesn’t compare to Canelo’s battle-tested career.
Expect Canelo to apply methodical pressure from the opening bell. He has mastered the art of cutting off the ring against movers. Scull will likely try to use his footwork to stay out of danger. The problem is that Canelo excels at timing opponents who try to box from the outside. His counter-punching ability remains elite even as he enters his mid-30s.
The first few rounds might be competitive as Canelo figures out Scull’s rhythm and tendencies. This is where the experience gap becomes obvious. Alvarez makes brilliant mid-fight adjustments that few boxers can match. By the middle rounds, expect him to start landing his signature left hooks to the body. These punishing shots drain opponents’ energy and eventually lower their guard for head shots.
Scull’s best chance lies in using his youth and speed. If he can establish his jab and move laterally, he might frustrate Alvarez early. The problem is sustaining this over twelve rounds against a fighter who applies relentless pressure. Once Canelo starts timing Scull’s movements, the fight could turn quickly.
If we were to bet on the fight, we would go with Canelo Alvarez winning the fight via stoppage in the later rounds.
(Image Credit: Turki_alalshikh – X)
I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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