Weight classes exist for a reason, but when it comes to a dream matchup between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, the boxing world throws caution to the wind. Since last year, fans have been buzzing about when these two titans would clash and who would emerge victorious. At EssentiallySports, we even turned to AI for a prediction, adding fuel to the fire of anticipation. With September circled on calendars, fans were eagerly awaiting the showdown. However, with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh stepping into the picture, plans took an unexpected turn. Yes, Canelo Alvarez will be fighting—but not against Terence Crawford just yet.

Last month, news broke that Alvarez had signed a blockbuster four-fight deal under the Riyadh Season banner. Instead of diving straight into a bout with Crawford, the Mexican superstar will first square off against William Scull, with both fighters putting their belts on the line on May 3. The stakes couldn’t be higher—the winner will be crowned the undisputed super middleweight champion. Talk about a high-stakes battle! Only after this will the 34-year-old finally step into the ring with Terence Crawford, leaving two more fights lined up for 2026. But here’s the real question: Why did a four-division champion even agree to this fight in the first place? Let’s find out.

Canelo Alvarez takes it one fight at a time

With just two months until fight night, Canelo Alvarez recently sat down with Ring Magazine to discuss his upcoming bouts. During the conversation, the reporter brought up the much-debated matchup against Terence Crawford, reminding Alvarez of the “lose-lose situation” he initially described. If he wins, critics will say that the 37-year-old was too small. If he loses, they’ll claim Canelo lacked the power and skill to handle a smaller opponent. So what changed his mind?

The answer was straightforward. “You know I can see people want to see that fight too. So I think it’s starting making sense,” Canelo explained. While acknowledging the fan demand, he made it clear that his focus remains on his May bout against William Scull. He emphasized that he’s giving his all for this fight and will consider Crawford only after handling business in the ring. “So we’ll see after May,” he stated.

Canelo’s approach reflects the wisdom of experience—he’s not making the mistake of looking too far ahead. History has shown that fighters who plan their next moves before securing victory often pay the price. Deontay Wilder viewed Joseph Parker as a stepping stone to an Anthony Joshua showdown, only to suffer a crushing defeat on December 23, 2023. Joshua, in turn, was eyeing a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk or a super fight with Tyson Fury, but his shocking 5th-round KO loss to The Dynamite on September 21, 2024, put those plans on ice. Even Gervonta Davis underestimated Lamont Roach Jr., and their March 1, 2024, bout ended in an unexpected draw.

This is why Canelo Alvarez remained locked in on William Scull, even though he only has a few fights under his belt, standing on a 23-0, 9 KO record. However, he may not have much to worry about, as Oscar De La Hoya doesn’t see Scull as a real threat.

Oscar De La Hoya casts doubt on Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull

Oscar De La Hoya has lined up a stacked card for Fatal Fury on May 2. It will feature three blockbuster matchups: Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr., Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero, and Devin Haney vs. Jose Carlos Ramirez. To build anticipation, the Golden Boy himself made an appearance in New York for a press conference promoting the event. But while he was there to talk about Fatal Fury, what really turned heads was his blunt take on a fight happening the very next day.

After the press event, iFL TV’s Colm McGuigan caught up with De La Hoya to discuss various aspects of the boxing world. When the topic shifted to Canelo Alvarez and his May 3 showdown with William Scull, the 52-year-old promoter didn’t hold back. Despite Canelo gearing up for what could be his most electrifying two years in the sport, De La Hoya made it clear that this particular fight barely registered on his radar. “Seriously cannot say anything about it. I don’t know who Scull is,” he admitted.

The Los Angeles native made sure to let everyone know that he wasn’t joking. “I do not know who Scull is, and I’m a boxing guy. I swear I’m not just saying this because it’s Canelo, and I don’t like Canelo. I’m saying this because I do not know who Scull is,” he stated. Moreover, the thing is that he has never seen ‘El Indomable’ in action. And that’s why he can’t predict how the fight will end.

However, he’s aware that Scull hails from Cuba. “And when I hear Cuban, you better be careful because he’s gonna have a lot of movement. He’s gonna have a lot of footwork, and that gives Canelo trouble,” De La Hoya pointed out.

With that said, do you think William Scull has what it takes to defeat Canelo Alvarez? Do share your thoughts with us below.