It is not often that a complete unification fight is a perceived discrepancy designed to set up an even greater fight.
This is precisely where we are with the shock of the undisputed championship of this weekend between Saul “Canelo” Aálvarez And William Scull.
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Each major intermediate-point weight title will be at stake in the headliner of Dazn Pay-Per-View this Anb Arena on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Álvarez from Mexico (62-2-2, 39 KB), 34, puts on his unified WBA, WBC and WBO titles on the line, while Scull risks the IBF belt which belonged to the Mexican superstar until it was forced to give up last summer.
Scull (23-0, 9 KB) – Cuban export based in Berlin, Germany – four years younger than the Álvarez, 34 years old, four inches more and has a three -inch range.
All other important edges belong to Álvarez, Fighter n ° 7 books for non-couronne book – hence the ratings of massive Paris -3000 in his favor, by Betmgm.
A scenario that emerged during accumulation is the performance of Álvarez the last time he fought a high -level Cuban boxer. He came almost 11 years ago, when he barely preceded Erislandy Lara at a July meeting just above the Welter weight limit.
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Álvarez fought in the first half, but made enough key adjustments during the six laps back to eliminate a decision victory. He has grown exponentially as a fighter since – figuratively and literally. Álvarez claimed the status of major title in four different weight divisions, while enjoying a long stay as the best fighter in the sport.
His incredible eight and a half race between defeats against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Dmitry Bivol has reached the highest level of sport.
The Curriculum Vitae of Álvarez works so deeply that a victory over Scull will barely evaluate its list of the achievements of the fame of fame.
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Scull is among the best average weights in the world, although his best career victory to date has been in questionable circumstances. He was considered lucky by some to have defeated Vladimir Shishkin in their title fight IBF Super Middleweight vacant between undefeated suitors last October. Others have simply been disabled by the negative shock of Reunion styles in Falkansee, Germany.
The fact that Scull has the belt that has been withdrawn from the possession of Álvarez is the only reason why he is here this weekend.
Álvarezs Quest to become a fully unified double champion is partly due to history. The other part is a super fight on the horizon with Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KB), Pound-For-Pound n ° 2 of Non Couronne, which will be able to claim an undeniable status in a third category of weight.
Scull has the type of style that can cause problems for most of the medium super weights. It is a large -part boxer at low risk with a good leg game and a good sense of the range. Historically, this mixture has created problems for Álvarez, but not an insurmountable obstacle.
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The lack of scull fire power means, however, that it will have to find other ways to gain respect for Álvarez.
Álvarez has not marked a judgment since his fighter victory of the year in 2021, where his three victories this campaign – Avni Yildirim, Billy Joe Saunders and Caleb Plant – ended inside. He has since been in the cards during his last six competitions, although he marked at least a knockdown in each of his last four departures.
Given the possibility of controlling the action and ringing early, Álvarez could add to its total direct elimination. The meaning here, however, is that the initial desire to win scull gives way to the mode of survival in the section.
Prediction: Alvarez by decision.
Badou Jack and Norair Mikaeljan collided for the WBC World Cruiserweight title. (Images Richard Pelham / Getty)
(Richard Pelham via Getty Images)
Badou Jack (+130) against Christmas Mikaelian (-150): WBC Cruiserweight Title
The second fight for the second title of the evening and the co-funiating of opinions The last two seekers of the Cruiserweight WBC belt, who were both relieved of their title status outside the ring.
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Neither Jack (28-3-3, 17 kos) nor Mikaelian (27-2, 12 ko) have fought since WBC victorious Knockuts on Ilunga “junior” Makabu in 2023. The two were finally stripped of the belt and degraded as “champion in redevelopment” for not having honored the defense obligations of the compulsory title.
The most recent decision placed Mikaelian in this questionable status after he did not face the superior candidate Ryan Rozicki. Jack – An Olympian from 2008 for Sweden, who won titles in three weight divisions – saw his previous title Reign restored, although with the warning that he honors the delay.
Jack-Rozicki was the original match planned for this card. Rozicki was forced to withdraw after suffering a biceps torn during the training camp. He opened the door to Mikaelian to go back to the ring and fight for what he continues to believe that it was wrong with his possession.
There is a strong argument to argue that the replacement fight is a higher risk than the original for Jack, 41, which is fighting for the first time in more than 26 months. Mikaelian, 34, has been out of the ring since November 2023, but he is much closer to his peak and has won five in a row since a controversial defeat of November 2018 against Mayiris Brieidis.
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Jack accepted the fight as a way to satisfy a compulsory and move forward with the desired unification fights against the champion Ring / IBF Jai Opetaia and the WBA / WBO Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramiez. This could be at night, however, where he realizes that he is already borrowed.
Prediction: Mikaelian by decision.
Jaime Munguia and Bruno Surace are reviewed on Saturday after Surace won via KO during his magnificent first fight. (Fayez Nureldine / AFP via Getty Images)
(Fayez Nureldine via Getty Images)
Jaime Munguia (-1000) against Bruno Surace (+600)
That says something about The magnitude of the Massive upset victory of Surace over Muvuia last December When sportsbooks always have it like a considerable outsider for the future.
The unbalanced chances in favor of Munguia reflect their first fight before the end. Les Mongguia de Tijuana (44-2, 35 ko) won – until it was not – in a hometown sorted by hand.
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Surace (26-0-2, 5 KB) entered the road trip with only four Knockouts in its name through 27 professional fights. The French visit increased this total by 20% when a Munguia on the ground on the right, a favorite of -2500 that evening, to produce the result of 10 and a really shocking result.
MUNGUIA has since enlisted the services of Eddy Reynoso. The twice of the year's coach is best known as the career coach for “Canelo”, who surpassed Munguia in their undisputed championship between the Mexican stars in May 2024 in Las Vegas.
A victory in December would have placed Monguia on the right track for a big fight in 2025, even against someone other than Álvarez. For the moment, the old medium weight titlist WBO Junior can be satisfied with the big reimbursement.
Prediction: Munguia by Knockout.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 01: Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba speak when they compete at a press conference before their heavyweight fight as part of the Wolves Fury City of Wolves card at Boulevard City Studio on May 01, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo of Richard Pelham / Getty Images)
(Richard Pelham via Getty Images)
Martin Bale (-350) against Ephrace Ajagba (+300)
Boxing fans can only hope that the battle of African heavy goods vehicles can correspond to the energy that has arrived Their verbal exchange at the last press conference before Thursday's fight.
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Bakole (21-2, 16 ko) was the Boogeyman perceived throughout the initial mention of this match. The Congolese slugger – now based in Scotland – has shown no fear of intervening in a two -day notice to replace a bad list of heavy titles from the IBF Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KB) against Joseph Parker (36-3, 25 KOS) on February 22 at this same arena.
The risk did not pay by any section. A very unprepared Bakole was beaten during a direct elimination defeat of the second round to end a sequence of 10 fighting victories that lasted more than six years.
It is unfair to measure the Bakole formerly provided by a performance in a fight that he took a two -day notice. However, it is enough to cost this fight its status previously appreciated as the final eliminator of the title IBF.
That said, Bakole was considered among the best heavyweights in the world after his dismantling of Jared Anderson Invainu last August in Los Angeles, California.
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This unique feat is higher than the entire curriculum vitae of Ajagba, an Olympian of 2016 for Nigeria who is a sequence of victories of five fights. However, it seems that the 6 -feet 6 -inch 31 -year -old competitor is back on the increase in the career since a point defeat against Frank Sanchez in their battle of undefeated heavyweights in October 2019.
Even with early defeat against Parker, generally resilient Bakole is the most active of both. Ajagba has not fought since a victory over Guido Vianello in April 2024 in Corpus Christi, Texas. However, its cleaner and more disciplined personalities in style cause adjustments for naturally aggressive bakole, which lives and dies (figuratively) by its relentless nature.
Despite the threats against the opposite, looking for Ajagba to stay composed and count on his skills – and the chin, if it is a question of winning.
Prediction: Ajagba by decision
