Canelo Alvarez knows the challenges Cubans bring in boxing, a style that can be tricky.
They don’t fight all the same either mind you.
Speaking at the launch press conference a short time ago for Canelo vs Scull — Alvarez spoke on Cubans, as well as the fighters and trainers saying:
Host: And now, let’s hear from William Scull’s promoter. It’s your job to come up with a game plan and a strategy—oh, this is trainer Frank, not the promoter. A strategy to beat Canelo Álvarez. How do you do it? How does this happen?
Frank (Trainer): First, thank you for having me here. It’s a pleasure. I think the match plan comes from a coach, not me, but we’re working hard on it. We’re going to make it a big fight, I hope so. Yeah, the match plan is from the trainer only—I don’t do it.
Host: We’ll turn it over to Frank. What are your thoughts on how William can win this fight? What does he have to do? In Español—who’s our translator?
Frank (via Translator): Canelo is a very big fighter, a very, very good fighter. I saw him last time in Las Vegas—really, really good fighter. But William Scull is as well. He’s a world champion, and we’ll see on the third of May what happens.
Host: Well, let’s turn our attention to the multi-time Trainer of the Year, Eddy Reynoso, who is here today. Eddy, at this stage of Canelo’s career, what kinds of things can he still improve on in the gym and get better at? And what kind of fight do you expect this to be in May?
Eddy Reynoso: We’re going to be fighting against a great Cuban fighter, a great champion. We know what we have in store. We’re going to have a great training camp, and we’re going to be undisputed once again.
Host: How about we hear from the fighters now? You guys ready? Let’s start, ladies and gentlemen, with the fighter many of you are here to see today—fighting for the very first time in his illustrious career in Saudi Arabia. A Spanish-speaking national hero who always represents his country with pride and respect. ¡Damas y caballeros! Make some noise for the super middleweight champion of the world—William Scull, everybody! You always introduce the challenger first. William, how do you feel about facing the face of boxing in Canelo Álvarez?
William Scull: Go ahead—what did Canelo say? Uh, well, no, it’s just that, you know, he was saying that the fans here allow, you know, that’s just how they are. So yeah, you know, it’s just how it is.
Host: Well, William, how does it make you feel when people refer to this fight as a tune-up fight or a stay-busy fight for Canelo? How do you feel about that?
William Scull: Well, look, you know, that’s just how boxing is sometimes. I’m firm in securing what I want to do, and come May 3rd, I know I’m going to display the best of my talents. I’m going to be the best I can be to pull off the upset. I’m going to shut everybody up—you’ll see.
Host: Okay, now how about we hear from the man who really needs no introduction—the man to my right. A four-weight world champion, a future Hall of Famer, and the face of boxing. He’s the unified—and perhaps soon to be undisputed—super middleweight champion of the world again. Canelo Álvarez, everybody! Canelo, what do you make of the turnout here with all your Mexican fans?
Canelo Álvarez: No, I just—I just feel grateful to have you guys here, all who support me. Let’s make history! Thank you, everybody. Gracias!
Host: I know Cinco de Mayo weekend is very important to you. You’ll be in Saudi Arabia fighting for the first time. How do you feel about that?
Canelo Álvarez: No, I feel great, you know. That motivates me—sparring and fighting in another country. I feel great about it. It motivates me, and this fight is very important to me. I never take anything easy. I always train 100% because I know he has a lot of skills. But, you know, there’s no other Canelo out there. So, I’m going to prepare myself and put on a good show in Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, and for my uncle, Turki Alalshikh. Thank you. It’s going to be exciting—I’m very motivated for this fight.
Host: Well, Canelo, I’m sure you heard the big news yesterday. Turki Alalshikh is creating a new boxing league. He promises there will only be one world champion in each division. Right now, he also considers a world champion someone who has the WBO, WBC, and WBA titles. How do you feel about that?
Canelo Álvarez: I feel good because, at the moment, I have the four belts. It’s like—if there’s just one belt, it’s mine too. I can adapt myself in any way, so I don’t mind.
Host: Well, you’ve knocked down your opponents in your last four fights, but you haven’t gotten a knockout since 2021. How likely is it that William Scull can go the full 12 rounds with you?
Canelo Álvarez: You know, it’s going to be difficult because of his style. The Cuban style is a little bit complicated, but, like always, I’m going to try my best. I’m going to be in the ring, and boxing is, you know, hurt your opponent as much as you can. I’m going to do that in May.
Host: William, this is by far the biggest fight of your career. You already see how many people here are cheering for Canelo—it’ll be an amazing moment. How nervous are you to step into the ring against someone of Canelo’s caliber?
William Scull: Hello—one, two, three—testing, testing. Okay. I feel really good right now, actually. I rely on my fundamentals, and I’ve prepared really well in a very disciplined way for this fight. All I want is to be ready for May 3rd and give the fans a great fight, which is what they deserve.
Host: Well, Canelo, everyone knows a potential showdown with Terence Crawford awaits in September. He decided not to fight until then, but you said you were going to fight in May. Why take the risk?
Canelo Álvarez: No, I like to be active. I like to be active, and I don’t take—you know, we don’t have a fight until September. We have this fight, and then we’ll see about the September fight. But I’m focused 100% on William Scull.
Host: And William, what’s your message to your fans in Germany, your fans in Cuba, who believe in you and think you can indeed beat Canelo and become undisputed?
William Scull: My message to everybody is that everything is possible. I’m really proud to represent all of Cuba in this fight. I’m going to be ready, and I’m going to give the best I can. That’s all I can promise, and it’s going to be a great fight—I promise you that too.
Host: And Canelo, what can your fans expect to see from you in this fight?
Canelo Álvarez: Like always, I’m going to put in my best—my experience, my talent, everything I have there. Boxing is about trying to hurt your opponent as much as I can.
Host: Alright, I believe we’re going to open the questions up for some media members to ask Canelo and William Scull. Go ahead.
Media (Omar from Box Nation): Yeah, this is Omar from Box Nation. Listen, obviously, your ambition is to become undisputed at super middleweight. Is there a possibility in your four-fight deal that we see you go back up to light heavyweight and maybe take on Dmitry Bivol or whoever has the belts next year?
Canelo Álvarez: Everything can happen. Everything is a possibility there. I like challenges, and we’ll see. Thank you.
Media (DJ Who, High 97): How you doing? DJ Who, High 97. This question’s for both of you. Neither of you will have home-field advantage in this fight in Saudi Arabia. How much does that go into your preparation for this fight?
Host: What’s the question—for both of them or for someone in particular?
Media (DJ Who): Both, okay.
Canelo Álvarez: You know what? It’s going to be a new experience for me, that’s for sure. But I’m also sure that the whole world is Canelo territory. Like they say in Mexico, just wait for me—you’ll see me.
William Scull: Look, I’ve fought in four different countries already. This is nothing new for me. I think it’s going to be a really nice experience—something I’m going to enjoy. In the end, it’s going to be great for all of us.
Host: Next question.
Media (Mike Coppinger): Canelo, hello. Mike Coppinger, alright? So, Canelo, look, you’re the face of boxing—not just in the U.S. but across the world. What makes you so excited about fighting outside of North America for the first time with this fight in Riyadh?
Canelo Álvarez: No, I’m very excited to fight outside of my country and America too. I feel very excited about it. In my career, I’ve always wanted to fight in other places, and this is the moment. I feel very excited.
Host: And now, how about a question from the man who made this all possible—His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh, ladies and gentlemen.
Turki Alalshikh: Hello, everyone. You know, I respect the school of boxing from Cuba, but now I’m asking as a fan. My question is for Canelo. There is one item missing from you on the third of May. Are you going to get it back to be complete by the 12th of September and face the big fight? Are you going to complete the items and take it back on the third of May?
Canelo Álvarez: Amen. I want to look great. There is one item missing from me now—that belt. But I’ve got you, yeah. Don’t worry—I’ve got you.”
Interesting stuff all in all.
When you consider the size difference in the fight and the awkwardness of Scull’s style, and Cuban’s in general in that aspect, this is not easy for Alvarez.
Nothing at that level ever is and any fighter at that level cannot take their eye off the ball.
As for Cubans, Canelo has fought a difficult Cuban operator as a pro before in Erislandy Lara.
On July 12, 2014 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Canelo won by split decision (115-113, 113-115, 117-111) that time.
Technical boxing of Lara was not enough to beat the educated pressure of Canelo that time — Canelo will know he has a challenge on his hands against Skull soon enough.
